How one woman touched another woman’s life in the most amazing way
This is one of the most amazing stories I’ve ever heard. So last night I was reading the comments and posts on my Facebook page when I got to this one post that was put up by a woman named Heather. I read it. I reread it. I read it again. Was I reading it right? No, there’s no way I was reading it right. I couldn’t believe what she was saying. But she assured me I was totally reading it right. Here’s what happened.
One day Heather noticed that her two-year-old’s testicle was a little swollen. She didn’t think much of it and went to bed. But all night long she had this nagging feeling that she should get it checked out. The next day she took him to the doctor and got terrible news. It was a tumor.
Needless to say, she was devastated. Of course she was. What mom wouldn’t be? Her own mom flew in to help her get through the day of the surgery, but before going to the hospital, they took a quick trip to the bookstore. The operation was going to take a while, and Heather wanted to pick up a book to read and help relieve some of the stress while they were waiting.
She picked up my new book. Please don’t stop reading. This is NOT an ad for my book. This is about what happened after she picked up my book. A card fell out of it. Right there in Barnes & Noble a card fell out my book, and this is what was inside.
Wait, WHAT? Did this really happen? How ridiculously amazing is that? Heather started crying right there in the store. “I cried right there, perfect words, perfect kindness at the perfect time. To Frustrated Parent, words cannot tell you what this meant to me! Thank you!”
I am amazed. To the person who put this random act of kindess along with a wonderful gift card into my book for Heather to find, I hope you read this post. YOU ARE AMAZING. You didn’t just make someone feel good that day. You did something that Heather will never forget for the rest of her life.
The lesson of this story. Actually two:
1. Unfortunately the tumor came back as cancerous, so we need to do two things. We all need to say a prayer for Heather and her son and hope that he gets well very soon. We also need to pay attention to our children’s bodies. Heather told me something I didn’t know. If a testicle is swollen, it is a medical emergency. I had no idea. So if you ever notice that, take your son in immediately.
2. Practice random acts of kindness, whether it’s by putting a wonderful note into my book when you see it in the bookstore, whether it’s simply smiling at a mom who’s struggling with her child who’s throwing a tantrum, or whether it’s dropping a casserole off at a friend’s house because she just had her first baby and she feels like she’s going a little bit crazy. You might think this random act of kindness is just a little thing. But the person who receives it will probably think it’s huge.
If you liked this (and seriously, how can you not?) please don’t forget to like and share this. Thank you.
So d**n beautiful! I think the world of parenthood is a deep, unique, and crazy connection that we join as soon as we have kids. Encouraging each other along the way, especially at random, is part of being a parent
Such an amazing story! It just proves that there are still good people in the world. My heart and prayers go out to Heather and her son and their family.
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
This really touched my heart. It’s so nice to know there are people out there that do “random acts of kindness.” Thank you!
It is great that a random act of kindness fell on this woman to give her a smile when she needed it most. Stories that involve children with cancer are so heart breaking, and something that will hopefully be something of the past. That is why I have been participating and shaving my head with St. Baldrick’s for the past 2 (going to be 3rd shave soon) years. Hoping for a great outcome for Heather’s son, and well wishes for their family.
I am sending all the positive I have to Heather and her son!
Karen; I’d like to share this amazing story on The Pohl Foundation’s FB page if that is okay? I started The Pohl Foundation when my sister Deb Pohl died. Deb was always doing awesome acts of kindness for people and she truly believed that love was mainly what most people who are struggling with anything need. I am not sunshine like my sister, I’m very jaded. However I wanted to keep my sister’s kind spirit alive. One night I was trying to figure out how and it came to me; Deb POHL…(P)a*s (O)n (H)er (L)ove. The whole point of the foundation is to do acts of kindness for people. And this story is EXACTLY what it’s about! Whether it’s helping an older person cross the street or just telling a co-worker they look lovely, a small act of kindness can change the tragectory of someone’s day, even their life! I always say “we’re POHL People, it’s what we do.”
Thank you and Heather for sharing this and with your permission I will share it to our Facebook Page.
Crystal
Wow, this gave me goosbumps. I love it, and so wish I could do this for like everyone I know. Amazing, and restores my faith in humanity.
Crystal Hamaker,
My name is Heather, from the story here. Yes you may share my and my son’s story. I hope it touches others and helps mom’s with boys be aware and act if needed.
Heather and Kipton
That is such an amazing way to pay it forward. Praying Heather’s little boy will be okay xox
Thank you Heather! I’m sure it will help many others. And thank you for sharing this with us. Sometimes we ALL need to be reminded that WE can be the better angels in this world. You are in my heart and on my mind Heather and Kipton. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.
Crystal
This is a great story in the vast sea of “mommy wars” stories. Seeing a fellow mom look to build another mom up instead of break them down with unsolicited opinions and advice is a refreshing change. I know there are many other stories out there like this, but unfortunately the ones that get all the attention are the ones that create the most drama!
Kudos to you Frustrated Mom, and hugs/prayers/fingers crossed for your little boy, Heather!
Chills. Literally, goose bumps covered my arms reading this. There is that video floating around that shows all the “gangs” of moms (and even dads) in parenting, ready to face off with each other because they don’t agree. (Bottle vs breast. Cloth vs disposable) Then they show a stroller starting to roll away when a mom turned her back and go down a hill. All the parents stopped fighting and raced after it to save the baby. Moral of the story – we’re parents, no matter what our stance is on raising our children, we all love our babies.
This made me think of that video. Parenthood is a battle we all face everyday, but it’s one we gladly face because we love those little suckers. I hope her son beats his battle with cancer, I will be keeping him in my thoughts. I hope Heather keeps you updated & you update us. I’m pulling for you little guy!!
Secondly, Heather – thank you for the warning. I had no idea a swollen testicle was a medical emergency either! I will be sure to keep an eye on my boys for anything “off”.
And to the person who put that gift card in the book, I hope you know how amazing you are and I know that good deed made you feel good too. *hugs* to you!
You brought me to tears prayers being sent to all parents with children
Beautiful story! My son had a swollen testicle when he was a baby. I took him to the Dr. and it turned out to be nothing (a little pocket of fluid, I forget what they called it at the time). Any way, I just wanted to clarify, that although it should always be checked out immediately it isn’t always a medical emergency.
By medical emergency, I think they mean that it is always something that you need to have checked out immediately and not ‘wait and see’ because it could very well be something serious and the sooner the attention, the better. 🙂
God bless you Similarly Frustrated Parent. And God bless you too Karen. This post just made my day. Heather, I hope everything turns out OK for your little boy. <3
Tara Foster Savoline – My son had that as well, but it was still a medical emergency, because left unaddressed it can cause a hernia, or a strangulated hernia. Either way, you’re right – it has to be checked out.
Mine isn’t as thrilling but even as a mom of four kids I need encouragement. My 3 yr old threw a meltdown of epic screaming proportions in Wal-Mart. I was so frustrated and then another woman walked up to me and squeezed my hand putting 5 singles into it while saying, “I feel your pain. Go get your favorite coffee and have a relaxing moment.” I could have hugged her. I honestly can’t wait to pay it forward! It helped…a lot.
As a mom of 5, I used to look at all the other “Super mom’s” and wonder how they did it. I recently went to Disneyland with the kids. Had my youngest 3 in line (6 yr old girl, and 4 yr old girl twins). A younger mom was behind me with a 3 yr old and 1 yr old. Her girls were having a tantrum, while mine were being surprisingly good for once. She looked up at me and said “I don’t know how you do it. You must be like super mom”. I looked at her shocked (me? Super mom? ).
I reached over and gave her a big hug. Then I told her “Here’s a secret that’s took me almost 20 years to learn. No one is super mom. It’s a myth, it doesn’t exist. You missed 10 minutes ago when my 6 yr old was having a meltdown. Or 5 mins ago when the twins were hitting each other. 2 minutes from now, all hell may break loose again. I’m you every. single. day. And you, are me, every single day. You’re doing just fine honey.”
Thank you for sharing this amazing story and I will pray for Heather and her son.
This just shows that an honest book about parenting can inspire greatness 😉 Such and uplifting story!