Who first told you that it’s not nice to stare? Write about a time you stared when you maybe shouldn’t have, or a time when someone stared at you.
It was a special day. We were visiting a theme park not too far from our home and the family had split up to hit a handful of different rides. My sister and I were with Dad as we climbed the huge staircase that took us to the top of a monster slide.
I saw the girl from a ways down and I was a little nervous knowing that we would be standing directly behind her in line. She was bald. And she looked to be my sister’s age. And she should have definitely had hair. It was uncomfortable really…here I was with a bunch of hair and there she was with none. It looked odd. I knew she had to have cancer like my Dad, but I couldn’t stop staring.
I was fully prepared to ignore the girl and wait our turn without drawing attention to her, but my Dad had noticed the girl too. He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, “Got you too huh?”
She knew exactly what he was talking about. An acknowledgment of pain passed between them. She smiled and nodded her head. “You keep your head up, you hear me? You’re a strong young lady and you’re going to beat this.” He cracked a joke and she laughed. A look of gratitude exchanged from her Dad to mine.
I felt proud that he knew just what to say to the girl and I felt ashamed that ignoring her was even an option. It’s hard to speak up when you’re uncomfortable and don’t know what to say. And you’re six. But my Dad showed me how the simplest words of encouragement can light a person up.
{ 82 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great story and an inspiration in a lot of different ways. And I am sure your father’s words meant a lot of her and I am quite sure she understands your silence.
What a sweet memory of your dad comforting a frightened little girl, and a great lesson for all of us.
What an awesome thing that your dad did. His simple words and action obviously left an impression on you, and I’m sure they left a lasting impression on that girl.
You don’t usually bring me to tears. Today you did. What a gentle and inspired man, and what a beautiful lesson you learned that day. Thank you for sharing such a sweet story.
I bet the girl remembers that day, much like you do. What a loving gesture!
Your dad was a very special man. Which, I presume, is why you are such a special person. Thank you for sharing that with us.
What a great lesson. Sometimes we just need to remember that people are just people. We all appreciate a little kindness.
Great prompts this week!
Your dad sounds awesome. This was a tear jearker.
Oh man, thank you for sharing this. My sister had childhood cancer, and sweet gestures like that make my heart smile because I know they would have done the same for her.
Tears welling up…this one time bald girl would have loved for someone to reach out to me like your dad did to that girl. Very sweet and thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful story! Than you for sharing this!
Now I feel like an ass with my “It Happened at Work” post. Oh well, just going for humor here people.
Loved this story! What a great Dad :)
This is the second day I got teary eyed reading your post! What a loving thing what your Dad did! Very inspiring!
Awesome story! You never know when you’ll get the chance to make someone’s day. Got a little teary-eyed on that one.
Dear Kat that is Mama,
Beautiful words. I sort of get it, because it really could be applied to me and anyone who has ever been sick. You write good.
On a related note, I am up at 4am for work and ready to link up my post and there are 16 people ahead of me. How does that happen? You people must never sleep.
:-)
With love,
Travel Mommy
Mine’s a “slight cheat”, it’s an old post but totally works for the “happy reunion” prompt.
Wow, this was great. Not staring at those who are different especially when they are sick, is hard. And never knowing what to say is even harder. Your dad sounds like a wonderful man.
That is so sweet. What a great moment to remember that we shouldn’t treat others differently because they look different. They’re just look you and I and want so badly to be normal. Thanks for this story.
even as adults, it’s akways difficult for me to find the right words of comfort. “i know exactly what you’re feeling…” but i dont…
Such a wonderful post, and such a wonderful father.
VERY powerufl. I’m not sure I could do something like that unless I “had” that … if that makes any sense. For instance (and I know this is no comparison), I tore my ACL, and anytime I saw somebody with a Donjoy knee brace, I would ask about the ACL tear.
But, what your dad did probably made the girl feel at ease … she probably felt all of the eyes on her, and your dad’s gesture made things better for her.
How sweet of your dad! I’m sure it meant a lot to the girl.
What a great story!
I had a hard time picking a prompt this week. They were all so good!
That was a great story. All touching and inspiring and sweet and stuff. Can’t even think of something funny to say. Rarely happens to me, but there ya go.
Very powerful – thanks for sharing! At the age of 26, I still struggle with words sometimes, when encountering a situation similar to yours. I’ve found that what works best for me is to make the other person smile somehow.
Thanks for sharing! This is my first link up to your writer’s workshop – THANK YOU for fantastic writing prompts!
I must have major PMS, because the image of your dad chatting with that little girl made me cry— and you KNOW I’m not a softie. He sounds like he was a really special man.
Yay for you Dad! What a great lesson to teach his little girl…
What your dad did brought a tear to my eye! What a sweet gesture!
Nice…love it.
The other day I was at a red light and the other people were turning. This little girl was sitting in the back seat of her family’s truck. She had a scarf on and was flashing the most amazing smile. You knew she was suffering from something horrible and yet she could share this smile. Kids are amazing…
What a great memory; not only of how courageous your father is, but how kind. :-)
That was one of the most loving gestures.
I teared up- what a touching story.
That’s a beautiful story!
How often it is that it’s easier even as an adult to ignore things when we should be dealing with them head on. That was a very good lesson your father taught you. :)
what a great story of inspiration . I cried.
This is a really touching story. I liked it.
But I just wanted to say sorry for staring at you when ever we are together. I just can’t help it. Your beauty is just amazing.
This story speaks volumes about your dad and the type of man he was.
And that just goes to show you that the simplest story can really put life into perspective. Thanks for sharing it.
What a wonderfully beautiful, touching and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing that.
That is beautiful. What a sweet thing for your dad to do. I’m teary-eyed right now (which is not unusual!) at the thought of it.
Wow that made me cry! I have cancer and sometimes I don’t know what to say to other people I meet who also have it. Maybe it’s because I’ve never lost all my hair and I’m always the youngest person at the cancer center I go to, I don’t know. Sometimes I think everyone thinks that I’m bring my dad to his appointments, until they call a name and the healthy looking young girl gets up and goes back. I’m starting to ramble, lol! I just wanted to let you know how touching your post was!!
I’m in tears — that was an absolutely beautiful moment. Your father sounds like a pretty amazing man.
That is a great memory to have your Dad, and a great example he set for you to follow. You might not could have done that at six, but I bet you could do it now.
What a great story. Your dad was a stand up guy! I hope that I can do that for my kids too. With their Daddy being Deaf, we are on the opposite end of the staring and he handles it way better than I do. Thanks for sharing your story…that was inspiring!
i’m loving all the writing prompts!! thanks mama kat.
oh, and i loved your post yesterday about THE list!!
OMG, M-K. I am so with Jill. I am totally sitting at my computer tearing up right now.
Funny that on the day I am complaining about long posts, you write one that is so wonderful and brief.
You don’t need a novel to move people.
xo
You learned a good lesson at an early age. It’s never wrong to have compassion for others. Great story.
Simple words but so much meaning. Thanks for sharing.
That was beautiful! And it nearly made me cry! You were blessed with a very wise, and special, dad!
What a great story!! Thank you for sharing!
That was an incredible story. I hope that the kind things I do will make an impression on my 6-year old, the way your Dad’s did on you.
Great story – makes my hair story today very shallow indeed.
That was great! It’s so hard not to stare sometimes but it’s great that your dad reached out to the girl.
It’s amazing when people know just what to say, isn’t it? Beautiful post.
Just linked up for the first time!!! I’m so excited!!! :)
I can’t imagine what it would have been like to learn about cancer that young. Great post.
And sorry, I didn’t read all of your instructions. My link just takes you to my blog, not to the direct post. I’ll do better next time!
What a sweet memory. I hope the girl beat the cancer…
What a lovely story. Nice spin!
Kat, your stories are always so poignant. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is my first time joining in on Writing Workshop. I hope I’m doing it right.
OOOPPPPSSSS! I accidentally linked back to this page the first time, since I had copied the link to my post! :S Sorry.. You could delete no. 89 if it’s possible! :)
Loved your post! It’s difficult to deal with uncomfortable situations as an adult, never mind as a 6 year old. Your dad is a great example! :)
What a beautiful gesture on your dad’s part. You must’ve been so proud of him for reaching out to someone in such a way. Beautiful post!
Oh, I love your dad! What a great man and what a lesson he taught you!
What a wonderful lesson he taught you that day.
This brought tears to my eyes!! Especially thinking of my own sister and her current baldness for the same reason. Cancer is a terrible thing but it can be a beautiful way to share emotions too. Great post!
I have to admit that when I read the title of this post, I started feeling nervous about reading more thinking it would be something where you always felt guilty, yadda, yaddda. But it was beautiful! Your father must have been one great guy. Thanks for sharing such a sweet story. You did so brilliantly!
Your story gave me goose bumps!
I’m a newbie to the workshop. One down! Looking forward to getting into the groove of regular writing again.
This is my 1st time joining in the workshop. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for 1) a beautiful project and 2) letting me write about a significant moment in my life. http://www.fashionablyorganized.com/2010/06/writers-workshop-staring-is-not-caring/
I absolutely love this meme! I can’t wait to do it again next week! Thanks!
Mrs. Sergeant
Link to mine:
http://www.airforce-wife-life.com/2010/06/how-long-until-you-realized-you-had-no.html
I’m also a first-timer. I’m just getting the blog thing down (kinda) and finding the value of memes. :) I wrote on “the popular girls” & I think I got a little insight into myself. Good stuff! :)
A sad but sweet story. I am also so glad that your dad chose to make a connection with this girl. I’m sure she felt a little less alone that day…
As always a fantastic post from you Mama!!!!!!
This made me cry, in a good way!
What an amazing lesson you learned that day. Extra kudos to your Dad this father’s day.
That’s a total choker upper. :)
I have heard a lot about your blog and your writing prompts. Finally visiting.
I may have to join in on this! Too much fun.
I’ll be back.
Oh that is such a wonderful model. Really, really great how he was able to model how to be compassionate. Sucks for both of them that they *had* cancer, but way to go Kat’s Dad!
great story and a great lesson learned.
A beautiful story and such a wonderful memory for you to have of your father! My dad is the same way too…he is so gentle and always has the perfect words. Me…not so much.
gave me chills when I read that… thanks for sharing
Wow, that beautiful, what a wonderful Dad.
Followed a link from someone else’s website, so glad I did.
Great story. I just found your website…I’ll be back!!!