Two little words
This past week has been a very difficult one for me. I’ve been struggling with worsening depression for a while and it seemed to culminate the last week of my vacation. I’ve been snappy with the kids, nigh unto having several panic attacks and worn out in general.
As we boarded our first flight yesterday I hoped they would behave. The kids were all pretty good for the first little bit which was so helpful because I was busy trying not to throw up or freak out. Panic hits me in different ways every time and for different reasons. I still don’t know why my body was acting up but I was shaky and nauseas and that feeling of fear was trying to overtake my sense of reason. I was investing all my mental energy into calming myself. Then during our descent the baby freaked out. I had to hold her on my lap and she threw a fit about it. I was restraining her as she arched and cried and screamed in protest. I don’t know how but I was able to remain calm with her and firmly repeat NO to her over and over until she stopped fighting me after 20 straight minutes. But by that time I was broken.
We got off the plane and I stood there holding the baby feeling numb. I was waiting for someone to bring our stroller to us. Suddenly someone squeezed my shoulder and I found myself looking into a kind gentlemans face. He barely even paused as he passed but he said, “It’s ok” and with another squeeze walked away.
Well that opened the floodgates. All the embarrasment and anger and frustration I was feeling came out but with them came a feeling of hope and renewal. All because of a kind smile and two little words of comfort from a stranger. There are always people around us who need to hear that “it’s ok”. I hope I’m never too afraid say those words or too self absorbed to see who might need them.
EDWARD YOUR A HAMSOME GUY ALL IM ASKING IS FOR BELLA TO HAVE THE BABY AND PUT...
What a wonderful post about the kindness of strangers. And what a great reminder for all of us to not be afraid to extend that kindness. Lesson learned.
This is off topic, but it reminded me of something I overheard on a flight home this past summer.
We were on our to Washington DC for our family summer vacation and we had to do that circle around thing while we waited our turn to land and this poor, poor baby was just screaming at the top of his lungs. The flight attendant came over and offered the man something for the baby (I can’t remember what it was now), but it soothed the baby almost instantly. What happens, she said, was that the change in air pressure affects babies, just like adults, but unlike adults, babies didn’t know how to cope with the change (like adults know to simply swallow to alleviate the pressure) so they cried because they were uncomfortable. Only the crying escalated the problem and it grew worse for the baby.
I wonder if that is what happened to your baby? Anyway, I thought I would share that because that never even occurred to me and yet explains so much about why babies get so cranky during takeoff and landings.
I absolutely believe there are angels all around us.
I flew with my kids a lot when they were little. Your daughter probably had some slight congestion which can really make your ears hurt when you’re descending. It feels like an ice pick through the ear drums.
I’m so sorry the flight was so hard :(
It is so amazing to see what a little kindness can do! Such a good lesson to learn… thanks for sharing your experience!
Melissas last blog post..Two little words
Priceless.
Annettes last blog post..Two little words
Thanks, Summer. I read this to Maren. Made us both cry.
Brocks last blog post..Two little words
O Summer, your story took me back to when I and you youngest 4 kids (ages 8, 6, 4, and 6 months), returned to Utah on the Amtrak after a trip to grandpa and grandma’s house in California.
The 4 years previous to this trip, I had been sick with Epstein-Barr for 3 of those years, and in recovery the last. However, as we sat in the train station and I diligently watched to make sure you kids were behaving, I despaired and was on the verge of emotional collapse because I had been having a relapse - the pain and fatigue were almost overwhelming. I had no idea how I would watch over you all for the next 17 hours of that trip and make sure you were not a disruption to the other passengers.
As the train approached, an elderly couple who had been waiting with us in the train station came over. The woman spoke, telling me what good children I had and that in all the years she’d lived in California she’d never seen such well-behaved kids. She commended me - and then they were gone.
I was suddenly and miraculously infused with a hope, comfort, and strength that literally numbed the pain for the entire trip until I arrived home. I have NEVER forgotten that experience and have often thought and prayed the Lord’s blessings upon her for the gift she gave me that day.
Gramma Duckys last blog post..Two little words
Summer, I am sorry life has been so rough. (Lately I have felt like I am at the end of the end of my rope as well … I don’t like feeling like this.) I hope things will start to look up for you. I am glad that the kind words of that stranger helped so much. It encourages me to want to say more of the kind words I often think.
An Ordinary Moms last blog post..Two little words
Oh, Summer… I’m sorry to hear that you’ve not been feeling well. Maybe the air pressure was popping or hurting her ears? It’s tough to fly with little ones. Mine freaks out in a restaurant… I think it’s safe to say, we’ll NOT be taking any flying trips with him anytime soon. LOL
Hang in there and I hope you get to feeling better!! =) IT IS OK!!!
Maggies last blog post..Two little words
That is so touching. Thank you.
Oh honey, I love what you’ve done here. Taken your own pain and turned it into something beautiful to inspire us with. You are amazing, you know that? ~hugs~
Kimberlys last blog post..Ya Think?
Such a great post! I hope, like you, that I see a person’s need and remember to say those things that will pick up a person on a bad day. Good reminder.
Amanda Ds last blog post..Ya Think?
Yes, I’m the looky-lu that likes lurking here. I really LOVED this post. Simply because of that gentleman who took the time to actually SAY something! I know how it is to be looking down & getting wrapped up in depression & the like. I also know (and am grateful for) that there are angels out there who do the smallest things that magically helps us lift our heads, our hearts & our spirits. I wrote about this on my blog…. I hope your depression continues to lift.
sariqds last blog post..Ya Think?
That is wonderful! I’ll try to keep it in mind as I fly solo with baby for the first time this Sunday. I too am anxious about the trip for some unknown reason and just want to get the flight behind me. Thanks for sharing.