Today was one of those rainy days, and while the little one was napping, I decided to treat my son with a Star Wars movie for being such a great big brother to his sick sister. As I was folding laundry, I casually remarked, “Man, that Darth Vader really gives me the creeps.” My son, with his bright gray-blue eyes wide open and mouth agape, quickly corrected me: “Mom, there’s good in Darth Vader! I know he’s with the dark side, but he isn’t all bad.” This sparked a thoughtful discussion between us about the battle of good and evil, and how kindness can be found in everyone if we just look closely enough.
Lately, I’ve felt like I’ve been surrounded by rudeness. From a nurse who was abrupt on the phone when I called about a prescription, to a driver who honked and yelled at us when I paused at a green light, and even a guy who threw his hands up when my son and I crossed the street, despite having the walk signal. My little guy heard all of this, and after I vented to my husband about how rude the nurse was, my son chimed in with, “Mom, we all have bad days. Just be nice to her, and maybe she’ll respond with kindness.” He teaches me so much, reminding me that we should always aim to treat others with compassion, no matter how challenging it may be.
He also made me reflect on my own behavior. I’ve been rude without a valid reason before, and I’ve reacted in frustration too. The nurse was probably overwhelmed with calls, and maybe she just needed a coffee break. That impatient driver might have been late picking up her child after a tough day. The man who gestured at us could have just experienced a personal loss. We never truly know what others are going through, and we all have our moments of haste and regret. Luckily, when we do slip up, sometimes we’re met with understanding instead of anger.
Today, my son reminded me to approach everyone with gentleness and kindness. I’m going to make a conscious effort this week to smile back at frowns. As he pointed out, even Darth Vader has some good in him, and maybe he just needs a bit of empathy.
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In summary, my son’s perspective on kindness and empathy serves as a powerful reminder that we all have our struggles. By striving to understand others and respond with compassion, we can make the world a bit brighter, one small gesture at a time.