It was a cool but unseasonably warm January day. I bundled up Blaine and headed to the park. Not suprising, we had the place all to ourselves. We ran, played, dug, built, and had a ball. Then in walked a 3 year old dressed in a spiderman suit and a jacket. "HI!!!" he yelled enthusiastically while waving at us. He ran, he played, he smiled, having a great time. He eventually made his way to the oversized sandbox that Blaine had been playing in for the last hour. I was sitting on one edge, his mom sat down on the other. My heart stopped. It was her.
What do you say to a mom you haven't seen in 12 years?
What do you say to a mom you've been praying for daily over the last several months?
What do you way to a mom who buried her 8 month old son only 2 weeks ago?
My chest was tight, my heart was sobbing, but my heart was smiling all at the same time, watching her with her son, living life and trying to imagine the pain in her soul.
I said something; not enough. There could never be enough or the right words to say. I wanted to give her the biggest hug in the world. I refrained. Then we proceeded to talk the normal other-mom-at-the-sandbox talk. Kids, husbands, grandparents, sleep habits, foxes, coyotes.
She mentioned them selling their house to move closer to her husband's work. Too many tough memories in this house anyways. What she didn't know, is everytime I'm at that sandbox, I will be filled with many thoughts of her, her son, and her son who has left this earth.
When I went home that day, I thanked God for the chance encounter, which I believe wasn't chance at all.
7 comments:
Oh, wow. Yes, God puts us in exact places and exact certain times, for exact reasons.
You are a good soul. I will say a prayer for this mamma too...
How terrible for her. I am sure your kindness was appreciated.
That is hard. I'm sure she was happy to have had a familiar face to just "chat" about normal everyday things.
Oh my goodness that's so hard. Way to be there for her.
I am pretty much the worst person ever in situations like this. My throat closes, my heart hurts, I make it awkward. You did the right thing by just having a normal conversation... it probably felt really good to her as well. Prayers for that sweet family.
Oh my gosh how heartbreaking! I don't have any idea what I would have said. :(
Jamie
For Love of Cupcakes
Wow, that just made me break my heart for her just by reading your blog post and I don't even know her. I wouldn't know what to say if I was in your position. :(
I think you did the right thing by just having a casual conversation and keeping her company.
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