The line for pizza at Costco was surprisingly brisk for a Friday night. Balancing a cheese pizza in one hand and my three-year-old’s tiny hand in the other, I was feeling somewhat accomplished. I had promised both my kids a fountain drink for their patience, so all that was left was to fill the cups and hightail it home.
My daughter was struggling to reach the drink dispenser, and as I reached for her cup to fill it with her beloved lemonade, she protested loudly. She insisted on doing it herself, of course. But let’s be real—there was no way she was magically going to gain those 12 inches necessary to pull it off. Thus began our little debate.
After some back-and-forth, I found myself in a precarious juggling act, attempting to hold the pizza while lifting her up to the dispenser. Just then, a kind stranger appeared out of nowhere. With a warm smile and reassuring brown eyes, she offered to hold my pizza while I helped my daughter with her drink. It was clear she had “been there, done that” in her parenting years.
I couldn’t thank her enough as I gratefully accepted her help. While we exchanged only a few words, her small act of kindness meant the world to me. I could tell she had her own kids—likely older—because she watched my little circus with a knowing smile.
As I made my way to the car, I reflected on that moment. Too often, women can be quick to judge one another. We find ourselves justifying our choices about everything from parenting to fashion, and sometimes it leads to competition instead of support. I didn’t want to be part of that crowd.
Instead, I aspire to be like that stranger. I want to be the one who helps another mom juggle her things, who offers a reassuring nod to say, “I’ve been there.” I want to open doors for the mom wrestling with her stroller or lend a listening ear to the first-time mom returning to work. I want to embody the kindness that woman showed me.
I know it sounds a bit heavy for a trip to Costco, but that brief exchange in front of the drink station served as a moment of clarity. Motherhood is challenging enough already, and sometimes we just need a little help. For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. And if you’re looking for fertility tips, visit this authority on the topic.
Summary:
In a light-hearted recount of a Costco trip, Clara shares a touching encounter with a stranger who offered help. This moment prompts her to reflect on the importance of supporting fellow moms instead of judging them. She expresses a desire to foster a community of kindness among mothers, emphasizing that motherhood is tough and everyone could use a helping hand.