Compassion at holiday time…

Last night I took my children out and about in the city for our usual Christmas in NYC traditions...

One of our traditions is the light show at SAKS fifth avenue. There is always a crowd there but last night it was a heavy crowd making it very hard to move past the traffic jam of people spanning the block.

Now, when I’m out and about with my non-verbal son with severe autism I’m always on high alert for sensory situations which may arise to cause my son distress so this traffic jam of people could well have been a trigger for a sensory meltdown.

As I surveyed the best and safest way to move as quickly as possible out of the crowd I accidentally headed toward a space that I didn’t realize was not actually a space but was being occupied by a gentleman in a wheelchair. I apologized to him and his family and explained that I had not seen him with the crowd and I was trying to find the quickest, safest exit from the crowd for my child with autism and his sister. The wife of this man explained she completely understood and then said “let me help - come with us” and made a space for my daughter, son and myself in between her family.

This kind lady’s husband was at the head of the line but with the pushing of the crowd ended up being a fair way in front so when we got out of the crowd I couldn’t see him and neither could his wife so I looked around to help her find him after making sure both my children were by my side. Her husband was there and all was fine and the kind lady reiterated again that she understood and wanted to help me with my son then hurried off to meet her husband in the crowd.

That was my Christmas present this year - that kind stranger helping my family navigate the massive tourist crowd in NYC when she, too, had a member of her family with a disability who she was also trying to help.

My son did great by the way - he enjoyed all the lights NYC offers in the holidays, enjoyed lighting a candle at St Pat’s Cathedral and even tolerated the American Girl Store with my daughter for 20 mins! In the past, my son would have walked in that store for about 1 min flat then have to leave due to all the sensory exposure (or maybe because it was a doll store and he doesn’t like dolls 😀). I was so proud of him. My daughter was also super proud of her brother! Hopefully next year my son can enjoy the Rockettes with myself and his sister

I don’t know who that kind stranger was last night - whether she was a tourist or a local but I hope she has an absolutely wonderful holiday time and that her and her family be blessed with all the wonderful things in life. Her display of compassion and kindness was not just noticed by me but also by my son and my daughter who will take that with them in life 🙏.

From my family to yours - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays guys!! Remember to continue to be kind to a stranger… you might never know how much it means to them.

Photo of Rockefeller 🌲