Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Woman at Walmart


Saturdays always seem busy; the day isn't long enough for my to-do list. Prioritizing the list helps. On the way to the feed store with my husband, we stopped to mail a birthday gift to my mom, I called a friend while he was loading feed on the truck (this takes time, male bonding time at the feed store, lol) and we swapped plans for the rest of the day. While he and our son were going to be banding calves, I was going to finish running errands.
Of course, the errands started with stopping by my daughters house. This is not on the way, by any means; yet a priority on the list. Visiting family is always a pleasure. Our grand-daugther is growing so fast! Once she settled in for a nap, my afternoon of errands began.
The trip to Walmart is about 45 minutes, giving me some wonderful alone time. As much as some dislike being alone, I treasure the moments of peace. The quiet time on the road, listening to my favorite CD's and pondering thoughts fill my time. The trip was for the most part, uneventful. Yet, while in line to pay, a young couple came up behind me. Overhearing their conversation was unavoidable. The young man (maybe 23 - 25) was berating the young woman. He was commenting on her "attitude" and threatening to make her walk home.
My heart began to break; I felt her pain. As a former wife of an abusive relationship, I noticed her sink further down into her coat. She wouldn't raise her head and her eyes focused on the floor. I almost dropped my head too, but suddenly remembered I am no longer afraid. I no longer live a life like that. Not knowing what to do, I just looked him in the eye as he tried to stare me down. My thoughts were...no, I'm not going to stay out of it, you brought it out into public for all to see. He decided to change lines. I said nothing.
The way home was much different. My heart was truly burdened for the young woman as I prayed for her on the way home. Why didn't I do more? Why didn't I tell her that I would give her a way home? As I shared the story with my husband, he felt that my reaction was appropriate and that if I had said something, it might have made it worse for her. In my heart, I know he is probably right. So...here's praying for them both.

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