tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post4803896792304520083..comments2024-03-03T12:52:18.548-05:00Comments on Magpie Musing: The Kindness of StrangersMagpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460136246441367993noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-26892333177367414142008-03-11T21:47:00.000-04:002008-03-11T21:47:00.000-04:00It's a curse and a blessing, isn't it?!It's a curse and a blessing, isn't it?!OhTheJoyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031731198115388411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-60585848115380828242008-03-09T19:40:00.000-04:002008-03-09T19:40:00.000-04:00What a great story - great writing! It really does...What a great story - great writing! It really does take a village, I always say. Apparently even just to pee, sometimes!MadMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550335108031470562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-56879293420298721772008-03-08T10:31:00.000-05:002008-03-08T10:31:00.000-05:00I have been the recipient of far more kindness fro...I have been the recipient of far more kindness from strangers, than not. To me, they are a blessing.Anjalihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17469613639032593194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-61566014462127257132008-03-07T04:26:00.000-05:002008-03-07T04:26:00.000-05:00I have had very similar experiences frequently in ...I have had very similar experiences frequently in bathrooms. Something about bathrooms makes other mothers say "Do you need me to hold the baby so you can go?"<BR/><BR/>Even English women.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-33642075298792048232008-03-06T17:50:00.000-05:002008-03-06T17:50:00.000-05:00I definitely view public parent-child interactions...I definitely view public parent-child interactions through a different filter now. Seeing a mother at wits' end with her children in public would have once nudged me towards harsh judgement. Now I'm sympathetic because I have been there and, likely, will go there again.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567374243896229606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-13096660804732500142008-03-06T15:01:00.000-05:002008-03-06T15:01:00.000-05:00My Ben is also autistic, and we've gotten mixed ki...My Ben is also autistic, and we've gotten mixed kindness and unkindness from strangers. Sometimes people look at me while he's throwing a fit and glare like I'm the worst parent in the world, and other people just smile knowingly.<BR/><BR/>It's hard.Aunt Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146687582842259611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-13633791279136146972008-03-06T13:18:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:18:00.000-05:00I think motherhood definitely makes you more empat...I think motherhood definitely makes you more empathetic. And also congnizent of your blessings. We have a close friend with an autistic child and whenever I feel like I had a rough day with my kids, I think of what she does day in and day out and it reminds me how lucky I really am.Mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14997605831348833911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-12456525337330379232008-03-06T13:05:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:05:00.000-05:00I am amazed everyday by the kindness of strangers ...I am amazed everyday by the kindness of strangers who comment on my blog and send me presents and write me loving words that mend and heal my heart. I always wanted sisters and now I have so many. It is a blessing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-27755629234217942232008-03-06T11:25:00.000-05:002008-03-06T11:25:00.000-05:00Yes, being a mother does.I think, when you find th...Yes, being a mother does.<BR/><BR/>I think, when you find the kindness of strangers, it's a blessing, even if you are dependent upon it.<BR/><BR/>It's a curse when you don't.<BR/><BR/>KWIM?Julie Pipperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-42585112810590559202008-03-06T01:22:00.000-05:002008-03-06T01:22:00.000-05:00Hopefully more a blessing. Especially when it's gi...Hopefully more a blessing. Especially when it's given with grace and kindness.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745262857388007041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-21717631878910381672008-03-06T00:54:00.000-05:002008-03-06T00:54:00.000-05:00it reminds me of our vulnerability, both in good a...it reminds me of our vulnerability, both in good and bad ways.Girlplustwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07056576921114387218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-90202723406760848672008-03-06T00:02:00.000-05:002008-03-06T00:02:00.000-05:00I would think that to be dependent on the kindess ...I would think that to be dependent on the kindess of strangers should be considered more of a blessing than a curse. I think we all have needed a helping hand with our children from time to time. What a blessing when a perfect stranger is willing to offer help!<BR/><BR/>Hey, I wanted to let you know that I've got some free books up for grabs as part of my March <A HREF="http://overwhelmedwithjoy.blogspot.com/2008/03/march-pay-it-forward-book-exchange.html" REL="nofollow">Pay It Forward Book Exchange</A>. Stop by if you're interested in a chance to win. :)Overwhelmed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/03213476355485623906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-76227558883954217312008-03-05T22:51:00.000-05:002008-03-05T22:51:00.000-05:00i think i was pretty sympathetic before, but even ...i think i was pretty sympathetic before, but even more so now. and it is humbling, this kindness of strangers. I bet that mother will be telling that story for years (just like I still tell the story of the kind lady on the airplane who called MQ "Beautiful" as she passed me in the aisle, where I was standing bouncing a 6 month old trying to get her to stop crying.)painted maypolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06446625015003854710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-938636184634937952008-03-05T22:45:00.000-05:002008-03-05T22:45:00.000-05:00I don't find "attendants" in restrooms -- hardly e...I don't find "attendants" in restrooms -- hardly ever. What a nice thing to have...when you have a child in tow.<BR/><BR/>We all need the help of others...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-58606162499463540892008-03-05T22:31:00.000-05:002008-03-05T22:31:00.000-05:00I am impressed that the attendant was kind enough ...I am impressed that the attendant was kind enough to help, honestly. Another of many examples of New Yorkers defying the "rude" stereotype.Mayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14342826784650208124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-45199646392022751852008-03-05T21:57:00.000-05:002008-03-05T21:57:00.000-05:00This is something I learned as a parent of too man...This is something I learned as a parent of too many kids under five at once. It's a blessing to help, but it's also a blessing to let others help. Think about how good that bathroom attendant felt that day.nutmeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13764241354191038343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-10849149507590873732008-03-05T21:51:00.000-05:002008-03-05T21:51:00.000-05:00I am so totally with niobe.I am so totally with niobe.flutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828689769747130419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-82127166011846852522008-03-05T21:45:00.000-05:002008-03-05T21:45:00.000-05:00I know that, having children of my own, I would lo...I know that, having children of my own, I would look upon that mother with a much, much more sympathetic eye and be more inclined to lend a hand myself. Not sure if I would have pre-kids.Rimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883046753707687727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-68445505261890235702008-03-05T20:59:00.000-05:002008-03-05T20:59:00.000-05:00I think most of us expect to have to go it alone, ...I think most of us expect to have to go it alone, so when we get a little outside help, it really is a blessing.<BR/><BR/>Yeah, my friend mentioned her husband was stuck on the train because of that building...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-73851945733653379362008-03-05T20:49:00.000-05:002008-03-05T20:49:00.000-05:00You know, I love that this post opens "A building ...You know, I love that this post opens "A building fell down yesterday..." but it's not actually about the building.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000470374101306070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-63138122406379160772008-03-05T20:48:00.000-05:002008-03-05T20:48:00.000-05:00Yes, I'm more intuned and on a lighter note I cry ...Yes, I'm more intuned and on a lighter note I cry at everything.thricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528308384855206125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-48838685286038671632008-03-05T20:26:00.000-05:002008-03-05T20:26:00.000-05:00Yes, more attuned for sure. And blessed.I too have...Yes, more attuned for sure. And blessed.<BR/><BR/>I too have these thoughts as I take a step back and allow myself to be a spectator of life.Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14084242509519566587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-81237806951071451112008-03-05T19:36:00.000-05:002008-03-05T19:36:00.000-05:00A building fell down yesterday. An opening line fo...<I>A building fell down yesterday. </I><BR/><BR/>An opening line for the ages. Right up there with:<I> Mother died yesterday</I>niobehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08315267454529454063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-91886783360057670922008-03-05T16:33:00.000-05:002008-03-05T16:33:00.000-05:00Very thought-provoking post. Ilike to think I have...Very thought-provoking post. Ilike to think I have become a little more empathetci since becoming a mother. I get it now that life with children can be so very difficult at times...Don Mills Divahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733674458423525738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-6340829962354486232008-03-05T15:25:00.000-05:002008-03-05T15:25:00.000-05:00I like to think of it more as a blessing.I had a b...I like to think of it more as a blessing.<BR/><BR/>I had a bathroom incident too. Evan was just getting over a tummy bug that he had shared with mommy and daddy. I was at Target telling myself that I was not going to get sick that I was stronger than that. Only I was not and ended up puking my guts out in the bathroom holding a scared and crying baby. A nice lady offered to take Evan while I finished heaving my guts out. It was nice that she offered instead of leaving the restroom with out helping.Awesome Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03523320907836876707noreply@blogger.com