Being a wonderful mother, and loving wife, and running a functioning home while also contributing to society is no easy task. Add to that being a mother of multiple children, and serenity and quiet are rarely terms that can be used in the same sentence to describe daily life. Hailey understands this all too well. Every day is a new challenge for her, and even the tiniest impediments can have far-reaching effects.
Hailey was on her way to work when she became stopped behind a slow-moving automobile. It took all of her control not to lose her cool behind the wheel. After all, Hailey was in a rush and didn’t have time to idle passively behind a car traveling at less than the recommended speed for the road. I shared this photo on my Facebook page earlier this week, and it made me ponder. A picture is only a small square…
It wasn’t until Hailey was delayed behind that automobile at a red light that she noticed the letter in the back window. As I drove into work, I followed this automobile. The placard in the back window reads, “Learning stick, sorry for any delay.” “Knowing this, I was quite patient with their gradual shifting, and to be honest, they were doing quite well for someone who was still learning.
“Then I asked myself a difficult question: would I have been as patient if the indicator had not been there? I can almost certainly say no. “We do not know what someone is going through. We do not wear placards that reflect our struggles. You don’t see signs affixed on people’s shirts that say “divorced,” “lost a child,” “depressed,” or “diagnosed with cancer.”
“If we could see what others are going through, we would be kinder. “But we should not have to look for indications or reasons to be polite to strangers. We should do it anyhow, whether we understand what is going on or not. Whether they deserved it or not. “Let’s give everyone an extra dose of patience, kindness, and love.” The scribbled note in the glass certainly had a lasting impression on Hailey.
She could have stayed upset and annoyed behind the wheel, but she took a deep breath and chose the path of tolerance. As I drove into work, I followed this automobile. The placard in the back window reads, “Learning stick, sorry for any…”