As I was dropping my daughter at a summer activity yesterday, I overheard another mother's dilemma of the day. She had been trying to teach her son responsibility, but he ended up at camp with no shoes (been there!). She was trying to figure out her options when another mother piped up that she just happened to have an extra pair in the car because her son is taking swim lessons (and some supplies are just easier left in the car). So the first mother borrowed the shoes and her son was allowed to stay.
As I considered yesterday's post about how important it is for me to know my children are well-cared for before I can do good work, I thought about other mothers. Those women who I may or may not have known well who pitched in when a child is sick, I forgot something, or spilled something, or just needed to pee and there was someone talking on their cell phone in the only stall that was large enough for me and my finally-sleeping baby. Those other mothers have been through my challenges--and more--and have the compassion and compulsion to help, in any way they can.
So for those other moms who sympathetically cooed the first time I left my first-born or explained school policies for me or held the door when my hands were full of grubby fingers or who took my children when the sitter didn't show for the do-or-die client meeting or modeled real and effective parenting, working, and living techniques; I thank you. I promise to pay it forward.
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