Finally Got To Pay it Forward!

      Today I was flying solo at the grocery store. I know! I was living the dream, right? As I was waiting in the checkout lane, I heard LOUD crying the next aisle over. Well actually, I think most people heard it. When it was my turn, I was able to look over and see a mom, struggling to hold her crying baby with one hand, keep an eye on other her little child, and pack away groceries. I almost started to cry! I'm not even kidding a little bit!
       Seeing her struggle, took me back to when I was in that very position. I think it was even the same lane! Syd wanted to ride in the truck cart and I could barely steer it two handed and about half through my list, baby Nathan started to cry and cry! I held him and tried not to crash into everything as I went. I was sweating like crazy and blushing! Nathan was just as beet red from crying. When I got to the check out I could barely reach my groceries. Everything was just too much! Tears slowly started rolling down my face as I flung stuff on the belt. The cashier saw me and right away jump in to help. She got someone to unload my cart and bag for me and assured me that it was okay and that it happens to the best of us. She was a mom too and knew exactly how I felt.  
        I quickly paid for my groceries and then stood there for a second, feeling very nervous and awkward, but I decided to get over it and put myself out there. I came up and asked if I could help bag her groceries since I have been her in same shoes. She gladly excepted my help, as her poor baby continued to let her know that he was not feeling well. I got a bunch of her stuff loaded in bags and she and the flustered check out girl who was also trying to help and do her job thanked me. It really was no big deal and very little time and effort on my part, but it made her nightmare a little less traumatic.
      It was a good reminder of all those struggles that I went through. They can become positives! I was able to feel her pain so much that I had to fight back tears and I had such a strong urge to jump in and help and encourage that I tossed my timid ways aside.
     And maybe one day, when her kids are older, that woman will spot another mom struggling in that aisle and have that uncontrollable urge to do her part and help out. The chain of mom support will continue.