Yesterday, my 4-year-old son and I were at the supermarket. There was a large and colorful display for Jelly Belly jelly beans, with all sorts of varieties and flavors. He asked for “the red one,” and I put up a bag to the container and pulled the lever. Several jelly beans fell into the bag, as a little girl stood by looking on. She must have been 5 years old. The girl gazed at the beautiful display, spellbound.
We got in line for checkout. The little girl’s mother was waiting in the checkout line next to us. She asked her mother if she could have some jelly beans too. Her mother said no. The girl replied, “Please, Mommy? Please can I have some jelly beans?” Again, the mother refused, saying, “I’m not going to buy you that garbage. You already eat those pop-tarts, and you don’t need any sugar.” The girl kept begging. “Mom, can’t we put the pop-tarts away? Maybe I could get some jelly beans instead.” Mom finally grabbed the girl, and whispered “Shut up! Shut your damn mouth. Now!”
The little girl started crying and moved away. Mom moved toward her to grab her again. The girl shook in fear, and hid behind another woman who was with the mom. She looked to me like she was expecting a beating. Mom was looking bitter and quite angry.
All of this was in plain view and earshot of my son and me, only a few feet away. As we moved forward in the line, I noticed that he had watched everything. He had been given some jelly beans, and was grateful. But he seemed very serious and quiet, upon seeing the scene of this little girl and her mom. I wanted to draw him out, learn what he was thinking, talk about it. Instead of saying, “Did that make you sad?” I simply asked him, “How did that make you feel?”
I was expecting him to say some emotion, like “sad” or “scared”… Instead, he simply replied, “I love you, Dad. I miss you when you’re at work.” Sitting in the shopping cart, he reached out and gave me a hug. Four years old.
My heart just melted. I cherish every moment I have with him. I wished that other lady would only realize what a precious gift she has in her daughter.

