Ugh, this made me cry and think of how much less overwhelming those early day outings would be if we knew the village around us would always lend a helpful hand.
Liz, I finally finished reading this and WOW, friend. Your story of three different mothers coming together in the grocery store. That's some sacred ordinary right there. :) Thanks for sharing this.
As the grandmother in this scenario, 70 plus years old with six grandchildren of my own, I will offer my blinking back tears as I read this, and rejoice at the wisdom you bring.
Everybody is doing the best they can with the light they have. Especially the moms. Thank you for this Elizabeth.
“The best they can with the light they have.” Some are in the shadows, some are under clouds, some are in the mist and grey of early dawn or the fading colors of dusk. We can’t all make out what is right in front of us without the perspective light of time. We hunker down in the midst of wrangling our children- closing in around them like a nest. But kind hearts and wise eyes see the protective struggle to do “it all” and sigh, and murmur, you are doing great- it will all be well.
I sobbed reading this. Right now with 3 little kids I’m the mom of the crying baby in that scenario, and that state of overwhelm is what most grocery store trips look like for me right now. Someone coming alongside like you did would be such a gift (and so different from the condescending, redundant, and emphatically unhelpful “wow you’ve got your hands full” that I get from almost everyone who walks past”.)
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
I hope someday I’ll be able to do for someone what you did for that mom!
Now I am weeping in Barnes & Noble remembering my own moments of empathy from strangers and my family of Midwestern in-laws who are unwavering experts at kindness. This is a beautiful piece.
I shook my head at the thought of four generations of women - from the gentle grandmother to the exhausted baby - four heads huddled together in the grocery store, all of us crying in our togetherness, embodied panic and empathy, all shushing and patting and swaying.
This also made me think of the generational need for help raising kids together. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful piece!
Got a little emotional myself reading this. We have an 8 month old, and pray if my wife is ever struggling like this anywhere the Avenger moms show up. Although I haven’t taken a trip with him just on my own yet, I hope they jump in to help me too.
Here I am sitting here crying. I’m a mom of 3. I remember those days when I thought I was a failure as a mom. But I made it through just as this mom will and all the moms before and after her. My kids are 33, 32, and 30 and have brought my 7 grands to love on.
There are times when my kids will call me frustrated and exhausted. And I give them the same beautiful words of hope and empathy. I know this is hard, but you’re doing a great job.
Thank you so much for sharing these words of encouragement for new moms, and for giving us older moms the challenge of stepping up to encourage new moms ourselves.❤️❤️❤️
Ugh, this made me cry and think of how much less overwhelming those early day outings would be if we knew the village around us would always lend a helpful hand.
Liz, I finally finished reading this and WOW, friend. Your story of three different mothers coming together in the grocery store. That's some sacred ordinary right there. :) Thanks for sharing this.
As the grandmother in this scenario, 70 plus years old with six grandchildren of my own, I will offer my blinking back tears as I read this, and rejoice at the wisdom you bring.
Everybody is doing the best they can with the light they have. Especially the moms. Thank you for this Elizabeth.
And now I’m crying as I read this and watch my kid in the bath. Beautiful words 😍
Touched me to my core! Thank you for reminding us to respond to those prompts
“The best they can with the light they have.” Some are in the shadows, some are under clouds, some are in the mist and grey of early dawn or the fading colors of dusk. We can’t all make out what is right in front of us without the perspective light of time. We hunker down in the midst of wrangling our children- closing in around them like a nest. But kind hearts and wise eyes see the protective struggle to do “it all” and sigh, and murmur, you are doing great- it will all be well.
I sobbed reading this. Right now with 3 little kids I’m the mom of the crying baby in that scenario, and that state of overwhelm is what most grocery store trips look like for me right now. Someone coming alongside like you did would be such a gift (and so different from the condescending, redundant, and emphatically unhelpful “wow you’ve got your hands full” that I get from almost everyone who walks past”.)
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
I hope someday I’ll be able to do for someone what you did for that mom!
Now I am weeping in Barnes & Noble remembering my own moments of empathy from strangers and my family of Midwestern in-laws who are unwavering experts at kindness. This is a beautiful piece.
I shook my head at the thought of four generations of women - from the gentle grandmother to the exhausted baby - four heads huddled together in the grocery store, all of us crying in our togetherness, embodied panic and empathy, all shushing and patting and swaying.
This also made me think of the generational need for help raising kids together. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful piece!
Crying picturing this scene and grateful for the reminder that I am seen on my hard days (today was one of them), even when no one around me seems to.
I love this.
Got a little emotional myself reading this. We have an 8 month old, and pray if my wife is ever struggling like this anywhere the Avenger moms show up. Although I haven’t taken a trip with him just on my own yet, I hope they jump in to help me too.
Brought tears to my eyes. So many times we don't want to get involved. So many times a kind, understanding word is needed. Thank you for your words.
Now I’m crying at work. This was stunningly beautiful and simple and true.
This is beautiful! ♥️♥️ So glad you overcame your reasoning and stepped into help. What a great reminder to help someone in need.
My mom and I used to grocery shop together when my kids were young; can’t imagine doing it without her.
Here I am sitting here crying. I’m a mom of 3. I remember those days when I thought I was a failure as a mom. But I made it through just as this mom will and all the moms before and after her. My kids are 33, 32, and 30 and have brought my 7 grands to love on.
There are times when my kids will call me frustrated and exhausted. And I give them the same beautiful words of hope and empathy. I know this is hard, but you’re doing a great job.
Thank you so much for sharing these words of encouragement for new moms, and for giving us older moms the challenge of stepping up to encourage new moms ourselves.❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this. What a beautiful moment.