Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

"Daughter," my mother whispers in my ear.

"Do you see that woman? She is pushing through the crowds."

I look to where my mom is. I see a woman who was about the age my mother was, she was pushing roughly to get through the thick crowds of the super market. I remember a boy did this at my school for his snack. He got in trouble. This behavior was rude. Clicking my tongue I begin to repeat all I know of this. "She's being rude! You shouldn't push, it makes everyone else feel bad. I learned at school to never do this!"

My mother smiles softly, "is that what you think?"

She questions me. But I know I'm right. "Yes! No matter what you shouldn't do it." Still smiling, my mom asks me the strangest question.

"What is her life like?" I give her a look.

"What?" I don't understand.

"What is she thinking? Where is she going? You must answer this before judging another."

"I don't know!" I snap back, "it doesn't matter, she shouldn't do it!"

"Yes," still my mother smiles, how can she smile while thinking of someone so rude?

"You shouldn't push. But what if this woman has a child she just learned is in the hospital? What if her father is dying, and she wishes to see him? All I am saying is don't judge what you don't understand, and think outside what you see and know."