Good deeds rehydrate the soul....

The other day I found myself crying in a parking lot because I was literally touched by an angel…

I needed to pop down to a shopping mall one night to run some errands before a very eventful weekend and besides having worn the wrong shoes, being pregnant with swollen ankles and experiencing immense backache, not to mention I was completely knackered after a looooooong week….I was still very grateful nonetheless to be able to shop without the moans and groans of a 1 year old, without the anxiety of standing in a queue that would cause my little toddler to get bored and throw a mini tantrum, I could walk to the pace of “Jy dink jy’s koolerer as eke” by Jack Parow as opposed to “Hey ya” by Outkast AND I had the liberty of browsing a store in utter peace and harmony with myself by myself (sigh and smile selfishly).

Of course my mind was most clear just knowing my kid was soundly asleep at home with her dad which allowed me to carefully think about all the points on my do list and how I needed to achieve them. My last stop before I happily left the mall with a GREAT sense of accomplishment was PnP. I needed to buy some grub for the next day and a few other goodies. Apart from the many skills you obtain as a parent , one VERY outstanding and important skill is the ability to carry a multitude of shopping bags in both your hands right down to your very baby finger with 4 packets in the one hand and about 3 in the other, toilet paper under the arm, while you’re walking and drinking a cool-drink.

So in my mind, even though I look like an ogre coming on , shaking the earth with my heavy trot, causing gail force winds with my heavy breathing, because of everything I just mentioned above, I actually was just too grateful for some alone time.

So as im trotting on by, a voice behind me goes “sorry ma’am can I help you with your bags to your car?” Speechless and totally confused I reply with a thank you nod and verbalize very politely that I really am fine and I’ll just be on my merry way. This very nice woman calmly takes 2 very heavy bags out of my hand and says very gently, “Ma’am you have been blessed with carrying a beautiful child  inside of you and I feel its disrespectful of me to see you walk on by without offering my assistance.” I awkwardly (because this woman looks my age) yet politely try and keep it jovial by asking her what her name is and where she works and when we get to the car, I whip out my wallet with the hopes of remunerating her in gratitude to this young waitress who is probably struggling to get through varsity by working at a coffee shop until late at night. (You know how we make up ideas in our mind to explain to ourselves when it could very well be the furthest thing from the truth)

She calmly tells me, “God has been very good to me so I cannot accept any money.” Even though you feel you can cope please promise to take care of yourself because the world needs healthy and good moms who need to put themselves first sometimes. Have a good evening.

I got into my car and burst into tears.

To that woman…I hope all your dreams and aspirations come true and hope you are blessed with an abundance of happiness and blessings.