People are Good

The other day I was at Winco in Orem doing the shopping. It is a rarity that I am able to go alone these days, with Brian working three late nights a week. We usually end up needing everything on Monday or Tuesday - and waiting for him to get off work until Friday afternoon is just not going to work. So I often pack up all of the little people and make the best of it.

So the littles and I were focused on our list. Gavin and McKay were doing pretty ok, actually. Jonah was in the carrier on my chest. It's not unusual for people to stare at me, with three boys - active and close in age. It doesn't even bother me. One lady even said out loud to me while we were grabbing cans of tomatoes together, "I remember taking my kids to the grocery store. I still have nightmares about it." I just laughed and kept moving. The last few minutes during shopping I was starting to feel like we were done. Jonah was getting fidgety and it was time to get checked out and get outta here. I started unloading the cart, which is pretty tricky with a large baby strapped to the front of your body. I was leaning over the best I could but could only pull out one item at a time. A dude with one thing in his hand was standing behind me in line. He was looking at me like, "Lady, can't you go any faster?" I was a little bugged and thought back to myself, "Well, if you'd come help me here this would go a lot faster. Clearly my hands are full." Anyway, I got unloaded and paid. Trying not to be angry at the guy behind me - so very unaware. Can't someone see that I need help here?? I thought that many times in those few minutes. That frazzled feeling was getting to me. I was bagging my groceries and tried to keep Gavin and McKay close. I could see someone watching me out of the corner of my eye. I heard her say, "You guys go ahead. I'll be right there."

Enter Beth. She came over and asked if she could help me load my groceries. "Yes! Help away!" I almost started crying right then. She said she had three boys - ages 13, 11, and 9. I asked her if I was going to survive this and she told me how much fun she was having with her boys getting older. We didn't talk long, but she was sweet. I asked her name as we finished. I told her that she had earned her saint points today and that she was an angel. And in my little world that day, I so needed her.

Thank you, Beth. Thank you for reminding me how good people are. I walked to the car with my three boys in tow and let myself cry for a second as I watched her get in her car and drive away with her family. Two minutes with me was probably not a big to her - but it was to me. I hope that I can be as kind and aware to others as she was to me.