Earlier this week my 6-year-old, Grace and I decided to run a few errands while her sister was at dance class. This made Grace less than thrilled. Actually, she told me this would be so “borin’.”

At first, it was. A quick stop to the vet clinic to pick up a $65 bag of cat food wasn’t on her list of “fun things to do with Mom after school.”

But then, we made a stop downtown at our local teacher supply store in our small community of about 30,000ish people. And I was pretty sure I walked back into 1991 too. There was Christmas music playing (likely on an old fashioned thing called a radio) and a woman named Nancy greeted us both with a smile.

My usually shy Grace seemed to like her right away.

I did too.

“Why do you look familiar?” she asked me. In a small town, it doesn’t take much for everyone to know everyone. When I reminded her of my local television days some 6 years ago, she instantly remembered.

“Ah, yes! Leslie!”

I knew I liked her.

We talked for a bit – just this stranger and me and my little girl, and finally I asked for a couple gift cards to give to my girls’ teachers.

Now, at this point in any holiday shopping adventure, I’m usually rushed, trying to get from one thing to the next. But on this particular afternoon, I actually had time to wait. And talk. And soak in a rare teaching opportunity (for my girl and for me) that I had no idea was coming.

See it took Nancy a while to get the cards ready. She had to pull out an old notebook to write who the cards were for and who the cards were from and then we had to fill out and sign another piece of paper for my credit card and then finally, after about 10 minutes, we ran my card through a machine to approve it all.

And once that was done, we talked about this ole’ website and the joys of being a mom and the baby I’m about to have. I even told her his name.

And guess what, she even liked it! Or acted like she did anyway.

Nearly 20 minutes went by before we started wrapping up the conversation – which, to my surprise, kept my 6-year-old’s attention span the entire time.

Trust me. That never happens.

Nancy rewarded Grace for her good behavior with stickers. And then she gave her sister a set of stickers, too.

Because she’s awesome like that.

She apologized once or twice for taking so long and even remarked that I could probably tell she “lives alone” because we were talking so much. But I didn’t mind. Not one bit. For the first time this entire holiday shopping season, I actually enjoyed spending money at a store. It was quite possibly one of the most pleasant shopping experiences I’ve had in my 35 years.

When we left and loaded back up in our car, Grace said, “Mom! She was so nice. We should get her a gift.”

My Grace, age 6 – wanted to get this beautiful stranger a gift. I couldn’t say no.

So today, we went back to the store with a small plate of cookies and hot chocolate and a Christmas tree picture, cut out just perfectly so. My Grace, who isn’t a fan of photos or strangers, happily jumped up on the counter to take a photo with Miss Nancy.

And my heart melted into 1,000 pieces.

I guess I tell you this as a reminder for this holiday season. Normally, a long drawn out conversation on a busy afternoon would annoy me. Normally, I wouldn’t have time for chit chat. Heck, I wouldn’t even look up. I would drag my girls with me crossing off my to-do list, trying to cram one more thing into an already hectic day. But Miss Nancy and my sweet Grace reminded me to stop, if only for a moment, and have a conversation.

When’s the last time any of us did that?

Kindness. Guys – I’m telling you – it will change the world. Thank goodness the older(ish) and the young remind all of us in the middle about the real beauty of this life.

Thanks for your kindness, Nancy. I hope my Grace never forgets.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Leslie Means

Leslie is the founder and owner of Her View From Home.com. She is also a former news anchor, published children’s book author, weekly columnist, and has several published short stories as well. She is married to a very patient man. Together they have three fantastic kids.  When she’s not sharing too much personal information online and in the newspaper – you’ll find Leslie somewhere in Nebraska hanging out with family and friends. There’s also a 75% chance at any given time, you’ll spot her in the aisles at Target.

To The Mother Who Is Overwhelmed

In: Inspiration, Motherhood
Tired woman with coffee sitting at table

I have this one head. It is a normal sized head. It didn’t get bigger because I had children. Just like I didn’t grow an extra arm with the birth of each child. I mean, while that would be nice, it’s just not the case. We keep our one self. And the children we add on each add on to our weight in this life. And the head didn’t grow more heads because we become a wife to someone. Or a boss to someone. We carry the weight of motherhood. The decisions we must make each day—fight the shorts battle...

Keep Reading

To the Mother of My Son’s Future Wife

In: Grown Children, Inspiration, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood, Relationships
marriage, wife, husband, grown children, www.herviewfromhome.com

To the mother of my son’s future wife, I’m in the midst of dirty diapers and temper tantrums, but I do have days where I think about the future and what it will look like for my son. I wonder who he will be, what he will do and probably most of all, who he will love. I wonder about the type of woman he will bring home to meet us one day. I have my own thoughts on the type of person I wish my son would fall in love with, but we all know that the heart wants...

Keep Reading

Trading Fleeting Moments of Fame for Unshakeable Faith

In: Faith, Inspiration, Relationships
Trading Fleeting Moments of Fame for Unshakeable Faith www.herviewfromhome.com

The string quartet began playing Pachelbel, as my dad and I took our first steps down the aisle. I began to lose my composure as we proceeded to the altar. Hundreds of guests had their eyes on me as tears streamed down my face. Struggling to look my future in the eyes, I looked to the ground for reprieve. God, everything around me looks perfect, so why doesn’t this feel right? I’m not sure how I got here. The flame once dancing inside of me, has extinguished. Lord, I need you. Dad squeezed my hand gently, “Are you OK sweetie?”...

Keep Reading

Children Don’t Get Easier, We Just Get Stronger

In: Inspiration, Mental Health, Motherhood
Children Don't Get Easier, We Just Get Stronger www.herviewfromhome.com

“This too shall pass.” As mothers, we cling to these words as we desperately hope to make it past whichever parenting stage currently holds us in its clutches. In the thick of newborn motherhood, through night wakings, constant nursing and finding our place in an unfamiliar world, we long for a future filled with more sleep and less crying. We can’t imagine any child or time being more difficult than right now. Then, a toddler bursts forth, a tornado of energy destroying everything in his wake. We hold our breath as he tests every possible limit and every inch of...

Keep Reading

This North Dakota Homecoming Queen is Capturing Hearts Everywhere

In: Inspiration, Kids, School, Teen
This North Dakota Homecoming Queen is Capturing Hearts Everywhere www.herviewfromhome.com

When Paula and Kevin Burckard’s third child was born, she arrived with a little something extra the North Dakota couple never saw coming.  Newborn Grace had Down syndrome, and the diagnosis initially left the young parents devastated. “When Grace was born, I thought all my dreams for my daughter had basically been dashed,” Paula said.  But it didn’t take long for those fears to subside.  As Grace grew, not only did she meet and surpass milestones, her infectious joy, inspirational grit, and deep love of all things Michael Jackson transformed the family—and countless hearts. The Burckhards went on to adopt...

Keep Reading

Dear Kids, When I Forget What It’s Like To Be Little

In: Child, Inspiration, Kids, Motherhood
Hey Mom, Don't Forget—You Were a Kid Once, Too www.herviewfromhome.com

The kids were squealing in the backseat. For the five minutes prior they were begging me to spill the beans on where we were going as I had only told them to get their shoes, get in the car and buckle up. It’s one of the ways I’ve learned to make a simple trip out of the house one that is a mysterious adventure to them. As we took left and right turns away from our house, they were trying to guess where we were going . . . and when we finally pulled up to a brand new playground...

Keep Reading

My Children Deserve To See the Whole Me, Not Just the Mom Me

In: Inspiration, Journal, Motherhood
My Children Deserve To See the Whole Me, Not Just the Mom Me www.herviewfromhome.com

Before I was a mother, I was a human being. A human being with life experiences, passions, fears, talents, hobbies, goals, friends and aspirations that I cherished and tried to honor. Even though I went through a variety of seasons of life . . . from school-age days, to working adult, to wife . . . those things always stayed with me. I stayed open to evolving, but never let go of who I inherently was. Then came motherhood. And suddenly I found myself abandoning my commitment to remain true to me, and leaving any semblance of myself in the...

Keep Reading

My Mother-in-Law’s Legacy: Simplicity

In: Inspiration, Journal
My Mother-in-Law's Legacy: Simplicity www.herviewfromhome.com

The memories of my mother-in-law spilled to the forefront of my mind, just as the contents of his jacket pocket fell onto our dresser. It was Proverbs 31, written on hotel stationery, in my neatest block print. Holding the small papers in my hand brought me right back to her graveside, on a hot summer morning, seven years ago. “Her children arise and call her blessed.” (verse 28) As my second daughter gave a mighty kick from the womb, visible to every mourner present that day, I couldn’t help but to allow my mind to wander. Were my values apparent...

Keep Reading

A Car Accident Left My Teenager Paralyzed—and Incredibly Fierce

In: Inspiration, Journal
A Car Accident Left My Teenager Paralyzed—and Incredibly Fierce www.herviewfromhome.com

I drove back from my son’s college concert near midnight. Exhausted, I glanced at my 14-year-old daughter, Beth, asleep in the passenger seat. We were only 10 minutes from home. I thought I could make it until I heard a road sign flatten on concrete. As the car flipped three times across a bare Ohio field, we left behind an ordinary life. I escaped with cuts, bruises, and blood-matted hair. Beth was another story. The car was cut open and a helicopter rushed her to Toledo. A doctor told my husband John that she was paralyzed. When John broke the news...

Keep Reading

Dear Mama, You’re Allowed To Not Be There

In: Inspiration, Motherhood
Dear Mama, You're Allowed To Not Be There www.herviewfromhome.com

Friday afternoon was not much crazier than most afternoons. My husband was mowing the lawn, my daughter was hangry and my youngest son was due to be in a talent show in twenty minutes. I stood in the kitchen—where it seemed like I’d been for an hour—trying to motivate my family to eat dinner and get ready to go. “Get dressed, Jude. Make sure you eat something.” “Dean, do you want a slice of pizza before we leave?” I screamed over the lawn mower. “Maeve, are you going to the optional soccer practice or the talent show? You need to...

Keep Reading