Thursday, January 20, 2011

Prepare To Be Amazed

I was in the middle of a particularly bad moment at the library last Thursday. I had three boys struggling with the definition of a library voice (and library behavior). It was a moment of pure chaos.

I heard some one refer to me as "Darlin'." I turned to look at the man. I wasn't looking forward to what was coming next; sure he was going to chastise me for not being able to control my children.

Then he said, "One day they're going to be off in all different directions doing so many great things. You're going to be amazed."

Wow. What a change from, "You sure have your hands full." Or, "All boys, huh?" Or, "Would you please exit the library post haste and kindly not return until you learn to behave appropriately in a public place."

It was a breath of fresh air. And a nice reminder that these exhausting outings will pay off one day.

13 comments:

Eric said...

Wow! I bet that man is amazing. What a great thing for him to say to a mom of all boys, who has her hands full and probably feels like she should leave the library until her boys can behave appropriately. ;)

Genn said...

Great story Katie. That put a smile on my face. I can just picture the man calling you Darlin and telling you that. A breath of fresh air for you that day I am sure.

Unknown said...

I love that! I get the comment about having my hands full too. It's not exactly a pick-me-up. And it's hard to keep things in perspective sometimes. Good for the man to make a positive comment!

Autumn said...

I love nice people.

Tammy said...

Don't moments like that make you want to spread encouragement to parents everywhere!? The other day I was with Brian in Target and he wasn't interested in staying in the cart so I was telling him to pretend that the cart was a train (James of course, since it's red) and that he was the conductor and a lady just came right up to me and said "what a great mom you are!" and I seriously felt amazing all day.
p.s. My train plan only worked for a few minutes and then I ended up with an out-of-control toddler running through the aisles. Luckily, I think that lady was gone by then.

jeanine said...

I've had just a few occasions like that... and they are so refreshing! I get a lot of the other comments too :) But the former make me feel like I'm not doing such a bad job after all!

Traci Elizabeth said...

LOOOOVE this. I hope we all remember what it is like at this point in our lives and we can be like that old man someday!!

by the way..thanks for the compliment on my blog. I def think your kids are top notch adorable too.

Amanda B. said...

That was awesome of him!! That guy gets it- he must have kids too! I get soooo tired of the looks and comments when we go places- something like that would definitely be a breath of fresh air!

Cynthia said...

What a nice thing to say. I often enjoy watching a little family (with indoor voices or not), but I never know what to say and usually say - "wow, you sure have your hands full".

Kris said...

Betcha he had a house full of little rambunctious "Darlin's" one day! And that is why he understood what it is like to take your little, full of life boys, out to the library!!!
Hugs,
Kris

Lauri said...

He's right, you know!

Carrie said...

I too, HATE the library. And the grocery store and sacrament meeting and public restrooms. Spectators like that man are one in a million, I'm glad you got one that day.

And Lauri, "Are you SURE he's right?", the young mother ask's skeptically.

Nicole said...

I enjoy nice comments like that, unlike the examples you mentioned (which I always seem to get...).

I've been away from the blogging world for a while but I'm back and look forward to staying up on your crazy life! xoxo