Sometimes I believe the Holy Spirit works through you when you least expected it.
Today, while I was visiting a new superstore (which was awesome minus this incident) Logan got confused and began to have one of his "mini meltdowns"- which includes screaming.
~For those of you who know my son, you know his screaming is very loud, very high pitched, and honestly very uncomfortable.
I held his hand and walked down the main grocery isle to grab the last thing I needed for dinner so we could check out and head home. It was as if a spot light was on me. People were coming out of the isles to see what was going on. No exaggeration, there were at least 40 people turned and looked at me and my sweet boy. Now, that being said, it was 30-45 seconds of excruciatingly loud uncomfortable screaming (which I'm used to) so I can understand why people were looking. But what they don't understand was this was not a "typical" child "I want that toy I can't have" tantrum. This was a little boy having an anxiety attack because he didn't understand something. I can't imagine how scary it must feel for him to feel trapped in his own world of fear and worry.
Anyway, while I was quickly grabing the thing I needed an old crotchy lady leaned over a very sternly said "Young man, you need to mind your manners while your...".
Before I could even think of what to say I threw him behind me (as if to physically protect him from the verbal daggers she was throwing at him) and said "Listen, lady, he has special needs."
And she looked at me with a stone cold look as I walked briskly away.
By the time I got back to the produce section, Logan had calmed down, but I was in tears. I thought of all the things I "should have said". I think the Holy Spirit was my filter at that moment.
So, for those of you who were at that superstore on this day and this time, I'm sorry. And for those of you who may encounter a screaming child in a superstore, before giving dirty looks or even saying a nasty comment* please think twice.
*I know most people would never do that, but everyone has weak moments-I'm sure back in my day I would have given "the look". There were some (few, but some) friendly faces that looked at me with sadness-as if they were saying "I've been there".
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awww jackie!! you are such a good mommy, and did the right thing. why does logan have panic attacks? brady recently had an incident like this, and now i'm worried. when a lady approached me and told me my son was giving her a headache, i smiled and nodded. that isn't what i *wanted* to do to the lady, but God does have his ways of working. i would've given you the look like I've been there, babe!
ReplyDeleteLogan has anxiety and OCD... It's a challenge- but we're working through it. Now he's in Therapeutic Pre School, and getting better, but it's going to take lots of time and TLC. On my first post, I describe all his symptoms. It's called "my story".
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog! Your boys are adorable, and I can't believe how fast they are growing up!
Hey remember I think you handled this well I would have called the lady a B**ch like I have done to people in the past . This women crossed the line and it was inappropriate on her end .
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