In 2020, I lost my oldest son at the age of 17. Shortly after his burial, my wife went to the store to buy flowers for his grave. While waiting in line, something happened that still sticks with me.
My wife, who is incredibly kind and often gets taken advantage of because of her gentle nature, was patiently standing in line with her potted flowers. Suddenly, a woman from an adjacent line (“Line Cutter”) pushed her cart and child in front of my wife, loudly declaring that her cashier was having issues and calling over two people from her line to move ahead. The scene was so dramatic that it caught the attention of everyone around.
True to her nature, my wife simply nodded and let the two people go ahead. When it was Line Cutter’s turn, as she was paying, she turned to my wife and said, “You didn’t have to wait long to buy your plant.”
Without any malice or ill intent, my wife softly replied, “It’s okay, I’m not in a hurry. I just hope people are nicer to you when you’re buying flowers for your son’s grave.”
The entire store went silent. The cashier, Line Cutter, and the people in line behind my wife audibly gasped. Everyone stared at Line Cutter, whose face fell as she scrambled to leave.
When my wife recounted the story, she insisted that she hadn’t meant anything cruel or vindictive by her words. She wouldn’t wish the pain of losing a child on anyone. I hugged her tightly and told her it was because everyone suddenly understood why she was holding those potted flowers—and perhaps, because her words unintentionally reminded Line Cutter to think about how she treats others.
I hope that woman learned a valuable lesson that day. You never know what battles others are quietly fighting, and a little kindness can go a long way.
