Monday, December 27, 2010

Boxing Gloves

It just slipped out of my hand.

The store was teeming with people. My hat and one of my gloves lay on the floor just in front of my wheels. No way I was going to be able to get them. Joe, who has not been feeling well this holiday season, was at home. I, on the other hand, love to go out on Boxing Day to do some hard core shopping. I'd been carrying my hat and gloves in my hand when I'd stopped to look at something, they slipped to the floor.

Though the store was full of people, there were few near where I was. I didn't want to leave my hat. It's a Tesco hat and I can't easily get another one. I like that hat. So I began scanning those who were within earshot. I imagine that everyone who routinely needs the help of others develops a personal set of criteria for determining the 'askability' of strangers. I had just spotted someone to ask when suddenly ...

... my hat and glove were handed to me. A small child, a cute little boy had crawled around the base of my chair and saw my stuff on the floor. A child pre-speech had figured out that help was needed and very willingly had picked up my hat with one hand and my glove in the other. He stood on unsteady feet. Feet new to standing. My hat looked enormous in his hand, my glove was nearly as long as his arm. His smile was huge, he knew he was helping.

I said, 'Thank you so much.' I took my hat and was reaching for my glove when his father spotted him handing me my glove. He came right over and I was just thanking the boy for my glove when he arrived. I hoped against hope that the boy wouldn't be punished for helping a stranger. I hoped well, Dad just took his child up into his arms and gave him a kiss. 'Thanks for helping out buddy,' Dad said.

'Nice kid,' I said.

'He is,' Dad said.

I drove away with my gloves and hat in my bag so I wouldn't drop them again. I'd learned my lesson. I hope the little boy did too.

13 comments:

  1. What a lovely story...how it always could be.

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  2. Absolutely perfect! My friend Lori over at Write Mind Open Heart sponsors a weekly posting called Perfect Moment Monday and I think this post would be a fabulous addition to this weeks list. YOu should add it.

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  3. Thanks for the suggestion Kristin, I did go there and add the post in. What a wonderful idea!

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  4. Children are so naturally open and loving.....until we get to them and have to teach them to protect themselves. So lovely that you had this experience the day after celebrating Christmas.

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  5. Adorable. :) Now I'm thinking about what my askability criteria is, and wondering what yours is too...

    I think my general rule is that I'll ask the first person I can get to make eye contact. A few weeks ago I went outside my own comfort zone, and asked a lady in Spanish for help reaching something in a store. I think it made her day! She seemed pretty delighted by the white girl who spoke her language and looked to her for a favor. I think we both got to step out of our stereotypical roles in that little interaction. :)

    I also remember being the quiet, shy girl in school, but sometimes having to ask for help from people I'd have never spoken to normally, following the strict rules of high school socializing. I was surprised when some of the roughest, toughest looking guys, who I used to be scared of, turned out to be the quickest to notice and start offering assistance before I even asked! It was so good for me. I overcame a lot of shyness, and it really helped shape my view of other people. :)

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  6. I'm so glad Kristin brought us together!

    This is, indeed, a beautiful moment of purity and kindness and connection. It's the kind of post that will stay with me long after I submit this comment and close the browser winder.

    Thanks, Dave. Hope you keep sharing your perfect moments.

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  7. Just beautiful, thanks for the little spirit lifter.

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  8. such a sweet perfect moment.

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  9. Nice kid, and good dad, too.

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  10. Isn't it amazing how perceptive children are -- and how quick to help out even at a young age.

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  11. Great to see you in the mix, Dave. Perfect Moment Mondays are great and your story about the wonderful little boy is just .. well, Perfect.
    Glad Kristin pointed you this way.

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  12. Aww...what a sweet moment. So great to meet up with a youngster - and a parent - who just 'gets it'.

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  13. A little boy prevent you to ask anybody for help by picking your boxing gloves and hat.

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