gratitude

I like to keep it really real on this here blog. And in the spirit of doing so, I have to admit something to you — I know that in the grand scheme of worldly problems? Ours don’t even rank. Yes. Even though I’ve bitched and moaned about Remy since, well, I was pregnant with her? I know that I am lucky to have her.

That being said? My feelings and personal issues? They are still valid.

And there’s something about rough patches. When you’re in them, and you feel super low, the smallest gesture can move a mountain of feelings.

Well we happened to decide to go to Build-a-Bear for their $5 Bear Day a couple of weeks ago. I had to work until noon — and Chad just happened to have the day off — so when I got home, we ate lunch and headed out. The closest BAB is now about a half hour away (we used to have one way closer!). So by the time we got there, unpacked the kiddos, and walked our bottoms to BAB, the line was literally out the door.

I was… baffled. I mean, I know a deal is a deal. But this was, well, ridiculous. On our way through the mall we saw women with more than their fair share of bears (ewwwww… that rhymed…). Like, one lady was walking through the mall with SEVEN BAB boxes… with only an infant in tow. <insert bitchy look here>

I happened to lean over and ask a woman standing in line where she picked up the $5 bear.

“Oh, they’ve been sold out,” she said.

And I looked…. bummed. And I turned to Ari (and Chad and my mother-in-law), and said “Well, buddy. They are out of bears. Let’s go walk around.”

Just then, a woman called for me. This sweet, sweet, woman. She said “Is he yours?” (meaning, Ari).

“Yes,” I said.

“Here. I grabbed an extra bear. I was going to give it away anyways. Take it,” she said.

I was, well, shocked. I thanked her. Profusely. I thanked her. I cried. She handed Ari the lifeless bear. She even shuffled him into line with her son. I stood there, in tears, wearing Remy Bea in the Ergo.

I snapped a couple of pictures. I tried to hold in my tears. Chad stood shocked, too. Ari didn’t know what was going on. But he was happy. He was stuffing his bear, happy as can be. His smile was awesome.

While Ari was busy stuffing his bear, I leaned over to Chad, still in disbelief. He was all smiles as he said, “I know. And she ripped the tag off and paid for it, too.”

What. What!? WHAT?

I mean, I know it was only a $5 bear. But she didn’t have to do that. She didn’t have to do any of it.

In (hidden) full-on-tears, I approached her as she was paying and I just grabbed her arm and said a simple, but completely heartfelt, “Thank you.”

Her response was so simple. So endearing. “It’s no big deal. I was going to buy an extra one and give it away to a kid anyway.”

But what she didn’t know was the simple joy she truly brought to Ari. That night he brought his BAB to bed with him. I asked him what his new bears name was. His reply? “Build-a-Bear. Isn’t he cute? Look at his beautiful eyes!”

Melt. my. freaking. HEART!

This woman — this stranger — has no idea how much joy she has brought into his life. Just a simple, $5, act of kindness.

Even two weeks later, Ari is still attached. He will not let go of that bear. And we are still grateful.

So yeah. As insignificant as your problems may seem; as small as a gesture as it may seem; it matters. YOU matter. The things going on in your life matter. And I hope that some small gesture makes an impact on you. If I can’t do it personally, I hope someone will. Goodness knows Chad and I are paying this small gesture forward.

Use this little bit of ♥ and positivity to power through the rest of your week, friends. And maybe — just maybe — find some small way to make another person smile today