Goodness

Summer. So little to do and so much time. I love having time.

This morning I felt the need to do something for someone. I wasn't sure what but I knew it would make me feel good and would be a great opportunity to teach Lilly. The other day we spent the day doing a friend's laundry (their washer broke) and Lilly was so excited to help out. She also loves surprising people (the laundry was a surprise). I wasn't sure who or how to help so I prayed about it and talked with a friend about my desire.

Eventually I decided we would head out to Target (Lilly says "Tarway" which I find totally adorable) so I could buy new sunglasses. But before we left I snapped a few pictures...
Lilly was loving on Ella as she often does. I only wish Ella was smiling because this is such a genuine and natural look that Lilly has.
I took several shots so I could possibly share Ella's special news... If you look hard you'll see in this picture that she has her first tooth! It's not all the way in but it did pop through the gum. If you're on my actual blog (which I'm sure you're not) you can click on the photo and it will enlarge. It's the bottom right tooth. I was very excited!
I like this picture because Lilly is excited about hugging her sister. Having Ella was the greatest gift we've ever given Lilly. Just the other day she said to me, "Momma, thanks for my baby sister Ella Rose."

I digress...

As we entered Target I realized Ella had a poopy diaper that needed to be changed pronto (diarrhea from the tooth?). An elderly man was helping his elderly wife into the bathroom. It was obvious she was blind. We waited behind them to enter trying not to make them feel rushed. His wife was holding onto the wall and she was clearly feeling distressed. He looked helpless as he turned to me and said, "She needs to use the bathroom." I told him I'd be glad to help. I took her arm with my free hand (Ella was in my other arm) and slowly walked her to an open stall. I told her she was in the stall and she seemed confused repeating she had to use the bathroom and couldn't see. I walked her in and helped her get situated. I told her I'd wait for her outside the stall. Lilly was very helpful telling her, "I be here for you, ok? I open the door when you ready."

As she was using the bathroom I changed Ella's diaper. Lilly was full of questions. I tried not to say much as I prefer she learn by watching. She was pacing in front of the woman's stall saying, "I here when you ready!"

When the lady was finished she called out to me and I helped her out of the stall. She asked to wash her hands and I told her "of course" and guided her to the sink. Lilly took her other hand and was holding it tightly. Ella was hanging out in my free hand. We put soap in her hand and began to chat. I asked her her name and where she was from (she had a thick accent). Her name was Stella and she was from Poland. My heart melted as I thought about Andy's mom who's Polish and hoped that if we weren't with her one day someone would be kind enough to help her. I told her that I was holding a baby in my arms whose name is Ella and that we have a cat named Stella! We all giggled. Lilly told her that she was a nice grandma. Stella also told us she has bad glaucoma and I noticed that she only had one eye and that eye was not functioning. We had a nice conversation as I walked her out to meet her husband who was waiting by the door. She hugged me saying "sweet girl" and we said our goodbyes.

My heart was heavy though I also felt a real sense of comfort and joy. Stella and her husband were not letting blindness rob them of their years left together. They were at Target, arm in arm, enjoying each other's company. What a beautiful joy to see.

Lilly didn't have many questions about Stella. I thought she would but she too seemed to have gotten it. She was smiling as was I and we knew that my desire to do something for someone today had been fulfilled and that Stella wasn't the only one that reaped the benefits. It was truly a beautiful experience for all of us. And to think, it took place in the Target restroom.