To Write of Not to Write?

Have you ever done something that you werent sure was the right thing to do? I'm sure I know the answer to that, because lets face it, who hasn't? Do you remember the post I published about the fb status updates and how I realized that I have no right to burst these mommies innocent bubbles? Well I came across something today and realized that I already had done that maybe unfairly to a woman in September.

Ty and I have been remodeling our basement since last May, I know, I know that's almost a year later and it's still not finished, your preaching to the choir, LOL! Well anyways, because our washer and dryer hookup is in the basement I've been going to our local Laundromat to do our washing. (An entirely different post in itself because these places are disgusting!)

Anyways, this past September as I was doing our laundry, in walked a woman and her son. I sat reading my book while our clothing was drying and was pretty amused by her little boy. He was so full of energy and life! And adorable to boot. He was being a bit ornery running around the building being loud, but just being a kid. A normal healthy kid doing what bored kids do. He ran past me several times then stopped and asked, "Whats your name?" I told him and he abruptly took off running around the room again before stopping several times to tell me about his spider man toys at home and such. His mother busy doing laundry and using fowl language on her cell phone was getting irritated by her son and very loudly began screaming at this kid. She even at one point grabbed his arm, roughly, and pulled him into a seat. She was clearly annoyed and I was getting a little worried for the little man as she seemed a little to comfortable acting this way.

While I was folding my laundry I continued to listen to her badger this poor child and it was about all I could take to not say something. But I bit my tongue. Until I heard her whisper something to him and I could hear the menacing tone of her voice but not clearly the words and something snapped inside me. I had just lost my son and here she was treating hers like a total inconvenience at best. So I took a piece of paper out of my purse and I began to write her a letter. (I took a picture of it with my phone) Here is word for word what I wrote;

I am sorry to intrude, but I wanted to share something with you. This summer I lost my son. I would give anything to have him here with me running around and being ornery. I know that your probably a little tired and overworked, and I am not judging you in anyway. I just wanted to let you know how very very lucky you are to have your son here with you.

And then I handed the note to her son and told him to give it to his mommy and I walked out. I drove out of the parking lot bawling. Why had I done that? Was I right to say anything to her? I don't know now, but that day, I had never been more sure of anything in my life. She needed to know how lucky she was and how good she really has it. But how is this any different than the fb updates? Was I bursting or bubble or trying to save it?


I saw her a few months later in the Walmart parking lot with her adorable son. I probably wouldn't have noticed her or him, but how could I forget that voice again annoyed with her son yelling at him to stop messing around and get into the damn car! I guess my letter didn't have that much of an impact on her anyways. So was it even worth it? In this case I think I'm going to have to yes. Maybe one day she'll find that letter stuffed into her purse or coat jacket and be in the right frame of mind to actually care enough to see what I was trying to say.


“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9