The Good Samaritan . . . kindof

Today I was at Wal-Mart with the kids.  We had successfully completed our shopping (and by that I mean I hadn't lost/yelled at any of the kids) and it was time to check out.  Now, I'm pretty sure some evil person designed grocery store checkouts just to torture mothers.  EVERY time we check out, the kids beg for a treat.  Sometimes I give in and sometimes I don't.  Today I informed the kids they could have one treat to split between the two of them.  After all, those are big treats and the kids are little.  Of course, Adam wanted Skittles gum, and Emily wanted M & Ms.  And neither one was budging.  So, being the mean mom that I am, I made them put both back, and informed them that if they couldn't decide, then they didn't get a treat.  So, I checked out to the sound of hysterical crying.  As I was leaving, the woman behind me stopped me.  When I turned around, I noticed two packages of M&Ms and two packages of Skittles gum with her stuff to be checked out.  She told me that she was a grandma and didn't get to buy her grandkids things very often, and said she would like to buy the treats for the kids.  I protested, of course.  But she really wanted to, and I didn't think I should say no to that kindness.  My kids very nicely said thank you and walked out of the store extremely happy! Now, my kids didn't really need all that sugar.  And I was trying to teach them a lesson about compromise.  But that didn't really matter.  We live in a world where way too many people are so self-absorbed that they don't take the time to notice those in need around them.   I think it's a much more valuable lesson for my kids to learn caring and giving.  So, I'm grateful to the lady in Wal-Mart for her compassion and kindess.  I think this world would be a lot better if we had more people like that.  And maybe it will help me be a little more mindful of those around me!