Kindness

Today at church Mike had an assignment so I sat with both kids myself. It went really well, at least the first 30 minutes or so.

Samuel was standing by his chair next to me, playing with Lego and Magnus was laying on the floor on top of his duvet. Then for no apparent reason and completely uncharacteristic of him (isn't that what all mums say?), Magnus started screaming - and I am using the word "screaming", not crying on purpose. I picked him up and walked over to the entrance of the chapel, hoping to calm him down.

It worked for approximately 40 seconds. And then he stepped it up a notch. I never thought this kid could be that loud. Never.

By the way, whoever was giving a talk today during the incident, please know that I am very sorry if I disturbed you.

Leaving the chapel seemed the only solution, so I got a hold of Samuel and we walked out of the room, leaving our bags and Samuels toys behind. I figured I would get a hold of Mike and leave him with the kids while I went to retrieve our things

However, and this is more or less the reason for my post today, as I left the room a lady sitting in the back got up and followed me out of the room. As the doors closed behind us, she said "What can I do for you? Do you want me to hold the little one, or should I get Samuel? How can I help you?"

While I hurried inside and gathered our things, she held Magnus and talked to Samuel. She then helped me get the two kids and our bags down to Mike.

She told me that she had seen me with Magnus, and thought that I probably needed a hand. And right, she was.

Later I was talking to a sweet, sweet lady who was telling me to call her if I ever needed anything. She would love to come over and give me a hand with babysitting, cleaning or whatever I needed. It would be a blessing for her, she said, to be able to help me. She told me which days she didn't work, and that I could always call. And I know, that she really means it.

Isn't it wonderful that there are so many people out there who are willing to give you a hand, to help you, to reach out? I truly feel so blessed and so loved on a day like today.

I can't help but think of the many people who go out of their way, out of their comfort zone to help me and my little family. It can be anything from people holding the door for me when I balance Magnus and a big diaper bag to the countless hours of babysitting while I was doing my drivers license. Or the guy on 2nd floor who is always offering to carry up our groceries and bags when we meet him at the entrance to our appartment building. And the guy who helped Mike and me carry the buggy out of the train when we were in Århus the last time, and the other guy who meanwhile, without a word, grabbed hold of our suitcase and carried it down the stairs. And the many, many people who have taken care of Samuel or Magnus while I got the other one dressed, undressed, changed, fed, or comforted.

Some of these people are friends of the family, people I've known for many years, but many of them are complete strangers that helped us at a playgroup, a bus and so on.

Getting around on my own with two kids isn't always that easy and I have felt frustrated more than once. But being in this situation, a situation where I can't always do it all myself, have also given me a chance to witness countless examples of the kindness of other people.

And for that I am very grateful.

So thank you, all you many great, kind and helpful people. I honestly could not have done this without you.