Leading Provider of Career Advancement Services for Professional Women Nationwide

Blog

Unexpected Kindness

by Multitasking Madre on February 13, 2008 10:14 AM

Sometimes my overconfidence in my mom abilities backfires on me. This weekend I took a quick overnight train trip to Chicago with my 2 little ones. My husband kept telling me “this is going to be a lot of work”, “are you sure you want to go alone”, etc. Of course I want to go! I have flown many times alone with my kids. Traveling by train is going to be a piece of cake! What can go wrong?

I think I jinxed myself by asking that question. If you are living anywhere near the Midwest, you are certainly aware of the arctic type temperatures we are experiencing. So, due to the freezing temps, the switching mechanisms that change the tracks actually FROZE! Now our 4 hour trip had turned into a 6 hour trip. At this point, my kids were still contently watching their DVDs and playing games. We still had lots of snacks left to get us through the journey.

When I thought we were rolling along smoothly, a lady on our car jumps up and starts screaming “Fire!” Yes, our train had caught on fire and the car in front of us was filled with smoke. Mass pandemonium broke out as the emergency brake was pulled. Winter jackets were being thrown on, as we prepared for an emergency evacuation into -16 degree weather. I was starting to feel a bit stressed at this point. My two little ones were not going to fare well with this type of chaos. Fortunately the fire was put out and within an hour, we were on our way again.

Nothing else can possibly go wrong, right? My newly potty trained 3 year old was using the restroom at regular intervals. On our last trip to the potty, all three of us got locked in! It took the conductor and 2 passengers about 5 minutes to get us out! Panic attacks had been very imminent!

Our final destination could not come soon enough. As luck would have it, my toddler fell asleep 10 minutes before we arrived. Now I had 4 bags, 1 stroller, and 2 children ( one that needed to be carried), and I was feeling completely overwhelmed. Ironically no one offered to help me. Clearly I looked frazzled and could not manage everything while carrying my sleeping son.

Just when desperation started to set in, the most unlikely stranger offered to help. While others around me watched with indifference, a young man (who was a Snoop Dog look alike) scooped up my sleeping son, grabbed my stroller and helped us off the train. During the train trip, this young man kept to himself, listening to music, talking on the phone and seemed oblivious to everyone around him. Of all the passengers sitting near us, he was the only one who noticed and cared that we were struggling. Earlier in the trip, I would not have pegged this guy as a Good Samaritan, but I was so thankful and grateful for his unexpected kindness.

You never know how people will react when you are in need of a hand, and this was a true lesson to me about both the indifference and the kindness of strangers.

Comments (8)

Alison's Mom sure summed it up: it's always smooth sailing or complete chaos. There's never any middleground.

We had an awful trip recently, too. We were nervous about taking Little One, who was just under a year old, on a long trip, but we figured he had done so well when he traveled at 7 months, it couldn't be that bad. Plus, there were two of us and only one of him. We can handle it, right?

Wrong. Airports started shutting down all over because of the weather conditions, and we ended up having three of our fours flights delayed (both going and one coming back). At one point, a delayed flight was put back on the list, and we all got boarded and buckled only to be told the "window of opportunity" in the weather pattern was past, and we were asked to get back off the plane. More waiting, crying, grumbling. Of course, the weather also meant we had plenty of extra "stuff" to lug back and forth, coats, mittens, hats, the works. There were a few other people on the flight who made the whole situation even worse by complaining, shouting, cursing, then, once actually in flight, drinking and getting sloppy.

When we finally got to Denver, the highway that would have taken us from the airport to my family was also shut down, so we made a mad scramble for a hotel. The first half-dozen places we tried were booked solid. This whole time, Little One was rubbing his eyes, groaning, and crying. It was well afte midnight (Mountain time), and he's usually in bed around 8:00 (Eastern time). He was one worn out puppy by the time he crashed on the hotel floor--no cribs available.

Still, I don't think my story tops yours!! I'd far rather wait around in a comfortably heated airport terminal than outside when it's -16 degrees!!

— Posted by AnnaLisa Michalski | February 19, 2008 9:39 AM | Comment Permalink

Isn't it always smooth sailing or complete chaos? There's never any middleground. You don't go off and have one small incident. It's either dozens of mishaps or none at all. All the while you know your husband was home watching the game or something -- enjoying his sweet time while you're wondering if your hair will turn to gray before you make it through this torture. Hahaha!

— Posted by Alison's Mom | February 18, 2008 9:50 PM | Comment Permalink

After going through all of that, Jen, I wonder that you even made it off the train! The acts of kindness that come out of nowhere are the ones that will be cherished for a very long time! Thanks for sharing you winter wonderland adventure with us!

— Posted by JulieN | February 18, 2008 8:21 PM | Comment Permalink

Love this story Jen!! I got teary thinking about that random act of kindness of a Good Samaritan that looks like Snoop Dog! :)

Thanks for sharing this!

Cher :)
www.StardustLullaby.com

— Posted by Cher Klosner Lane | February 18, 2008 3:26 PM | Comment Permalink

Lisa,
I completely agree w/ you that would make a great show! I often think I should make journal of my outrageous experiences. Usually it has something funny to do with running a home based business and raising a young family. But crazy situations usually seem to follow me wherever I go! I am glad my sense of humor usually kicks in.

— Posted by JenM | February 18, 2008 2:39 PM | Comment Permalink

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for sharing that story. It's good to know I wouldn't be the only guest on "World's Most Outrageous Parenting Moments." Hey, that might actually make a good show!

— Posted by LisaC | February 18, 2008 9:54 AM | Comment Permalink

Hi Sharyn,

I was actually attempting to manage it myself and when I clearly realized I was challenged, I was about to ask for help. My helper beat me to it. I was very glad for his help, but I am not at all beyond asking for help. Especially is a situation like that. What I found ironic though, was that I was holding up many others from exiting the train. If I had seen someone struggling and I wanted to get off, I would have gladly helped. Nonetheless, if my new friend hadn't lended a hand, I would have certainly asked for help. :)

— Posted by JenM | February 13, 2008 6:35 PM | Comment Permalink

Hi,

I'm glad this good Samaritan helped you, but I have to wonder, what prevented you from asking for help?

— Posted by Sharyn Murray | February 13, 2008 12:23 PM | Comment Permalink

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)