Kindness is the language of love

That holds the world together

On Friday, I decided to surprise my son with pizzas but found I didn’t have the ingredients. But determined to have the pizzas, I walked across to the bakery opposite our condo. I was waiting for my order when I noticed a woman walking in with her 18-year-old special needs son. We smiled at each other.

While she placed her order, her son, who was holding a bag, kept nudging her and tugging at her shirt constantly. Instead of getting annoyed at him, she quickly asked the bakery guy for a pack of buns and handed it to her son, who put it in the bag and happily went off to sit in one of the chairs.

Two minutes later, he was back, looking a little agitated. By this time, the bakery guy had packed a couple of items for her. Picking up one of those, she gave it to her son, who added it to his bag and went to sit in the chair again.

This kept happening. Four more packs later, it was time for the woman to settle her bill. Just then, her phone rang. Her son rushed over to her and gently took her helmet off her head so she could talk. She drew him close in a hug with one arm while she finished the call.

Then they both got on her scooter and sped away. I was touched by her patience and kindness.

I regularly see a couple of other families with special needs children in our area while we are out walking and always feel upset when they get irritated with their child, as if it is all the child’s fault. Sigh.

So, when I saw this mom and son’s interaction at the bakery, it warmed my heart. And I felt grateful for all that I had.