a lesson in empathy

A young woman was on her way out of the store. She was using the self checkouts. I could tell, just looking at her, how exhausted she was. It appeared she was trying to hurry out of the store and moments later when I heard a small cry I realized why. This young woman was not only in a hurry but a first time mom with her newborn son. The cry was pitifully small. It made me feel like going to help. You could just see the desperation in that poor woman's eyes. I'm not sure if her son was just a crier or she was just having a bad day, but at that moment I felt real and true empathy. I was able to put myself in her shoes and feel what she was feeling, because I had been her not so many months ago. So, I did the only thing I could, I told that poor worn out mommy that it would all be worth it soon. All the tears and the crying. She just needed to remember to breathe and try to sleep when she could. I did that and smiled at her. Trying myself to hold the tears back. I knew how she felt. I only pray she was able to glean some comfort from my words, for they came straight from my heart.

I may just be a cashier, but I can make a difference in the lives of the people I come into contact with every day. I just ask that as you hurry through your day, your season, your life, that you take pause and realize that girl behind you in line, or that man in the grocery store who is always cranky, may have his or her own hard life. Just share your kindness with others. Together we can really make this a better place.