A woundโs scar will go away over time but the emotional damage of a hurtful word will remain for a lifetime.
Nobody is safe in this cruel world where people easily judge other people because of the color of their skin, the way they look, their race, and even their preference as a parent. Itโs a sad reality about the society that weโre all living in today and itโs indeed a hard pill to swallow.
We always say, โbe kind to othersโ, sadly, there are really some people who canโt.
Words are strong, they can either break or make a person, and hurtful words can pierce through the heart.
A mom named Lindsay Rae saw firsthand how cruel and insensitive some people can be while waiting in a checkout line. Much to her surprise, a couple behind her began spouting out nasty comments about another customer who was at the register with her five kids.
Lindsay was horrified to hear what they had to say about the woman (a stranger to them), judging her on appearances. The couple whispered loud enough to be heard, questioning โhow many baby daddiesโ she had, her ability to dress her children properly, and made an assumption that she used food stamps.
Understandably, Lindsay was outraged. Not only because the people were passing judgment โ but also because they didnโt understand the real truth behind the womanโs situation. Like a hero in a movie, Lindsay eventually went off on the rude couple and gave them a good dose of reality!
In a Facebook post that went viral, Linsday elaborated on what actually transpired in the incident.
โWARNING; Insensitive people at the Walmart rant ahead.
Last night I found myself sandwiched in line waiting to check out, this is not an odd occurrence. The woman in front of me had 5 children she was wrangling (which did not seem odd to me), as well as the fact that the children were a mix of Caucasian and Hispanic short people.(again hmphโฆdidnโt notice until it was pointed out to me).
Yes, I said pointed out.โ
Sheโs totally shocked by what she was hearing from the judgmental people.
โThe people behind me as I wrestled my own whiney toddler, began very loudly whispering things like;
โHow many baby daddies do you think she has?โ
โCanโt even dress those kids for weather.โ
โJust wait until she whips out the food stamps.โ
I calmed my 3 year old with old altoids found at the bottom of my purse and looked incredulously back at the well dressed, normal couple spouting such, well, total CRAP.I looked forward to see a woman fumbling with separating clothes items; coats and shoes socks and underwear from the food items with the black plastic separators.โ
Lindsay knew the real story behind the mom and her children.
โThere five kids, two that shared her same blonde hair with jackets and warm shoes and three, beautifully dark haired and deep brown eyes, sad eyes; wearing shorts, and flip flops. It was true she was struggling with a food stamp card. Didnโt know what buttons to use to complete the transaction.
As the class act behind me deeply sighed; and said โTheres our tax dollars neatly at work.โ
I shot them what I can only imagine was the death glare only a mother of 9 can execute to perfection.
I stepped forward and kindly said, can I help? These things are so confusing. She looked at me. I quietly asked โFoster or Adopted? I have 9 kiddosโฆtwo bio, I get it, please let me help.โ
She smiled embarrassed, โNew Foster Mom, this is my first time using one of these, they came 3 days days ago, gonna be with us for a while. They gave us food, but the kids needed clothes, but no stipend has come through yet.โ
When times get tough, itโs okay to ask for help, and thereโs nothing wrong with that.
โI looked at the kids and smiled, and turned to her and said; โbeautiful children I am glad you all have eachother.โ
I showed her how to use her card as the jackholes behind us snorted.
I explained to her how she doesnโt have to seperate items and that the items get seperated by the computer at check out and how she pays the balance after she runs her card.She handed each child a new coat, loaded up her cart as she left I side hugged her and told her โyou have got this.'โ
Lindsay had enough from the rude shoppers.
โAfter they were out of ear shotโฆI turned with tears to the smug well dressed man and woman behind me.
โThose children? They lost the right to live with their parents just days ago, those clothes? probably the only clothes they own, or got to leave their home with. THAT woman? Opened her home to kids, kids that needed a safe place to go, when the one they lived in no longer proved safe enough or secure enough for them. The food stamps, something health and welfare helps an already mother to two feed three new mouths.
There are not nearly enough women or people like her this world.โI whipped back around and started slamming my groceries on the belt, and then turned back aroundโฆ
Voice shaking.;
โAND even IF those kids were all hers, and she had a dozen โbaby daddiesโ and was on food stamps..no child in this country or any other deserves to be cold or hungry, I am sorry, but your behavior? Poorly done, VERY poorly done.โMy new โfriendsโ left my checkout aisle and joined another, silently.โ
Even the cashier was amazed by what Lindsay did.
โI grabbed a bag of damn Peanutbutter m&msโฆ. As I finished checking out the girl checking me out smiled and winked, โsingle mother on WIC, what you said? Rocked!โ
I grimaced and said โthanks, I wasnโt sure I should have gone off like thatโฆhug those babies of yours tight tonight.โ
She said โI will, you have a nice night mamโ and do the same.โ
I cried hard as I found my Tahoe, buckled the baby in the car, loaded upโฆand opened those damn m&mโs.
You foster mamaโs out thereโฆhold your heads high, you are the hands and hearts that are the strong and the steady for small ones when they need it most. Hats off and so much love today to you.โกโฅโกโ
Lindsayโs Facebook post went viral and has been shared more than 287,000 times.
According to the Childrenโs Rights website โ in 2017, over 690,000 kids spent time in foster care in the United States. There are almost 443,000 kids in U.S. foster care โon any given day.โ
One day, we will come across an incident that will challenge the inner kindness in us. The question now is, when help is needed, are you ready to step up and help? Letโs try to keep kindness above everything else, especially during these trying times.
In this story, Lindsay was not just brave to stand up and fight for what she believes was right. Sheโs also one kindhearted person who selflessly offers herself to be a parent to children whoโre not biologically hers.
Check out her touching social media post below.
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