Dear Parents,
We don’t know each other. We live in the same town, but based on some assumptions, we probably don’t run in the same circles. The first circle being–I’m an introvert, I don’t “run in circles.” There were other indications too; you both looked to be working professionals–I’m a stay at home mom. And I can pretty much spot an only child from a mile away; I consider this a sense some mommas of large families possess. Oh, and your cart contained only a few items…yeah, that never happens to me at Sams. But back to your child.
She was loud. I mean really loud. I heard her all through the store. At one point we were on opposite sides of the store and I still heard her. Everyone heard her. Are you getting my point? Every person in the store that day heard your daughter.
She was singing. I think she may have been singing her own songs? I may be introvert but I know my music. I didn’t recognize these songs at all–lyrics or melody. And yes, songs–plural. She seemed to have a pretty big repertoire.
Do you know what I noticed most? Your reaction to her. Some people were brave enough to approach you. I wasn’t one of them–the whole introvert thing and all. And each person that approached you had pretty much the same thing to say, “Boy, she’s loud!” They would exclaim. And each time you had the same reaction.
You laughed! You commented that she sure had a set of pipes. You touched her pretty head of straw colored curls. Her eyes sparkled and yours beamed with pride.
If I would have approached you, I would have thanked you for letting her sing. I would have praised you for not “shushing” her. I would have told you my oldest is now 18 and living 1300 miles from home. I would have told you my 16 year used to sing so loudly in church you could see people trying to stifle a laugh in the front pews–we were in the last one. I would have told you my baby is 4. Some people wouldn’t consider him a baby–he’s my baby. I know, random stuff to you, memories to me. And then, I would have looked her in the eye and told her she had a beautiful voice. I would have thanked her for singing me through the store.
Each time you fingered her little curls or beamed at her with pride, you encouraged her to use her voice. That’s something a lot of little girls…teen girls…women for that matter, are not encouraged to do. I’m not talking about encouraging a brashness because you can, an “I am woman hear me roar!” No, what you supported was her joy–a joy so exuberant that she had to let it out in song…many songs!
Thank you for encouraging your loud, little girl. I could tell by the smiles on all the customers faces–especially the older ones–that it made this particular grocery trip a little more enjoyable.
Michelle says
This brought a tear to my eye. Now, I want to hear about the mom of 8 who has a couple of them! Perhaps she is not quite as lovely in her responses. That is okay too. A word of encouragement helps tremendously. And it’s usually from strangers who are wise.