Stories of Kindness from Around the World

This past Monday, I was talking to one of the children, Emily's, mom for some time.  We shared the normal stories of potty training, school, etc. and then she mentioned one of the things she had been struggling with- Emily's delayed speech. She was almost 4 years old and still speaking in only two-word sentences.

I was able to relate since my son had also been a late talker and like many new parents, anything out of the norm, will cause some level of concern. I understood her concern because Emily, unable to always communicate with words, would resort to hitting others when frustrated - a very common response mechanism with speech delay.  That night after talking the issue through with her for a while, I told her I would put her in touch with my friend who was a speech therapist and I let her know that if needed, I wanted to at least lend her a sympathetic ear since we had gone through a similar thing.

A few days later, Emily's mom emailed me with a sweet little story.  She said  that when Emily and my son were sharing the same snack table, my son had asked for Emily's uneaten Cheerios.  Emily willingly shared her Cheerios and my son had exclaimed that Emily was a "very nice girl".  Emily's mum wrote that Emily was beaming that entire day.  Her mom said that she never felt that great before and no one had said that to her, something that I thought was so sweet.  Though small in many ways, it was huge for Emily.  

I find it very amazing how children unknowingly express kindness. One of the many things I continue to learn and be inspired by them.