I sat quietly, smiling as much as I could, watching my child struggle. There is no part of me that enjoys watching my child struggle but as any mother knows, at some point or another you have to let them do things for themselves.
As we pulled up to McDonald's I reveled at how fun it would be for Sami to get to play in the play place with other children. What did not occur to me until he was actually trying to play was that it would be physically difficult for him. The steps were tall and he has yet to learn to lift his leg very high to be able to climb steps such as these. He got up the first two steps which were small and easy but the third one was impossible. He tried his best, however he could not manage to climb and the other children had little patience for a toddler who couldn't climb like them. He would get knocked over and pushed aside and still, his spirit and drive was not broken. The persistence of my child amazes me in times like these.
My heart was breaking watch the struggle and I was ready to go. I knew Sami was by no means ready to give up, however I was. I couldn't go in there with him and I couldn't help him and quite frankly, watching the situation was bringing me near to tears. Then it happened, the moment that restored my faith in humanity. The young girl in a purple shirt and glasses climbed in the play place. For the sake of the story and the lack of her actual name, we will call her Angel.
Honestly, I would never have noticed Angel except she wrapped her hand in my sons. My human nature started to kick in, about to tell her to let him go when my spirit calmed and I heard a voice say "wait". Sami did not flinch or become scared, he looked at her and she at him and instantly this stranger became my hero. She held his hand while simultaneously maneuvering him carefully up the next few steps. Angel could not have been much older than 7 or 8 but she carried him with such ease. She didn't force him nor did she push him, she guided him up the steps and through the tunnel. I ran over to watch my child and Angel go through the tunnel like they had been friends all their lives. I watched them climb into the slide and waited anxiously at the bottom of the slide, listening for any sign of trouble. As I crouched there, I wondered if she was going to simply push him or pull him behind her and what I saw will change my life forever.
My child who has never been comfortable in tunnel slides but the look on his face as he came towards me was plastered with the largest smile I had seen in ages and right behind him was Angel with her arms wrapped around him, keeping him safe. When they got off the slide Sami gave her a smile and I told her thank you. Then, they went again, up the steps and through the tunnel, down the slide. In fact Angel took him 4 times as if she had no other reason to be there than to guide my child and help him.
The fifth time the two of them ventured up, Angel decided to take Sami one step further and take him to the very top step, top tunnel and top slide. I wasn't sure this was a good idea but again I heard the voice telling me to wait, so I did. Just as they reached the top, Angels mother forced her to come down to the ground to get socks on. Angel obeyed hesitantly, making sure Sami made it safely in he tunnel. Jd, myself and a friend of ours tried to coax our friends daughter to help Sami to the slide but she was unable to help him as Sami refused to listen to her. Then, just as I was sure I was going to have to climb up myself and rescue him, Angel rushed in and up the steps and shortly after, both children flew towards me down the largest slide Sami has ever been on.
I tried my best to explain to Angels mother how her daughter impacted me but sadly, I don't think she truly understood.
Today a stranger became my hero. It is doubtful that I will ever see her again or know her real name but Angel restored my faith in humanity and my hope for future generations. You may never read this or fully understand it but THANK YOU Angel, you are my hero.
