Got Ice Cream?

As my motley, sweaty family packed up our camper this morning to head back toward home, an older, overall-clad man approached me with a twinkle in his eye and said, “How many kids you got there?”

“Oh, we lost track a long time ago.” I laughed.

“Can I buy you all some ice cream?” he said and handed me $40 before I could answer. Walking away, he said quietly, “I wish I’d had more kids…”

            So often we trade stories about the rude and crazy things that people say to our families, especially those who are obviously not biologically related. But the opposite is also true. People can also be incredibly kind and generous.

            Yesterday, to break up the long car ride, we stopped at a tourist trap cave. It had been raining and hot for days. Walking up the ramp toward the glittering lights and promises of  “World’s Best Attraction” (or something like that) a 40ish man with an employee badge and a twinkle in his eye said, “Are all of these kids yours?”

             “Yes.” I said.

            “What a bunch of little blessings,” he said. “How many kids do you have?”

            “Fifteen,” I said.  “But they’re not all with us. Some of them are grown.” We continued to chat as we paid a small fortune to see the amazing sights and then we continued on our tour. It was amazing. Ok. It was a reprieve from the heat and driving.

            Coming out of the main attraction into the gift/fudge/snack/can-I-please-buy-useless-stuff-mom area, the man asked if we liked the cave. “Can I buy you some ice cream?”  he asked, and handed us a business card with a note scribbled on it. “Just give this to the ladies at the counter,” he said, “And they’ll give you what you want.” Thanks, Mister!!!

            What a great opportunity to show our kids that the world can be a friendly place! What a conversation starter to wonder how we can follow the example of kind strangers.

            Ok. So maybe my kids look a little on the under-fed side, because a couple of weeks ago, my husband had the crew at a pizza place after going to the lake and the waitress walked up with a twinkle in her eye. “A couple just left and paid for all of you to have milk shakes,” she said. “Let me know when you’re ready to order.”