Friday

29 April 2016

It could have been uncomfortable...

I was standing in the cat food aisle at the pet store, poking through everything to find the varieties that Max will (and can) eat, and behind me heard an almost-adult male voice very near me, chanting can I touch you, can I touch you, can I touch you?

The hairs on the back of my neck did not stand up; I didn't have any sort "oh, hell, I'm in trouble here" feeling. I stood up and turned around, and there was a teenage boy, apparently a bit developmentally disabled, and a woman was rushing to get to him, apologizing profusely with, "He saw your tattoos, I am so sorry."

I held out my arms and told him he could touch, but only from my wrists to my elbows (because really, some limits seemed to be in order), and then thanked him for asking first.

Some people? They don't ask. It's rare, but every now and then someone reaches out without thinking about it, because they're drawn to the ink and not the person. This kid asked, and I appreciated it.

That's Thumper and that's Chip and that's Dale and that's Mickey and I don't know who that is but one's a tiger, and you have a kitty and oh! Grumpy with Thumper! 

He carefully traced one finger over each arm, fascinated by the pictures, and then asked, sincerely, "Does your mom know someone drew on you?"

I assured him she had, and she was okay with it...and asked him to not draw on himself unless his mom said it was all right.

His eyes lit up; I could hear the sigh she didn't exhale.

"We'll talk about it when we get home. I'm not promising but IF I say yes, we have to use a washable marker, okay?"

She thanked me for letting him look so closely, but I'm not entirely sure she was really happy about it, because I guarantee, when that kid gets home, he's drawing on himself no matter what anyone else says.

My day...totally made.

11 comments:

Elisa said...

And this, sweet lady, is why I think you are one of the most awesome people I sort of know. As I have said before, you make me proud to know you and get to share in your thoughts, kind actions and get to see what an incredible person you are. YOU ROCK.

Lucy Furr said...

It is super that his mom has taught him to ask, but yeah, he will probably do so when he gets home. I would imagine that there will only be washable markers that he has access to.

Random Felines said...

That's awesome!! Love his question about your mom. :) My mom knows someone has drawn on me....though she still isn't happy about it. Ha

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

That was very awesome. :D thank you for sharing

gizzylaw said...

You are my hero! But you know that already.

Mighty Kitty said...

That is so sweet! You know kids well and are so patient with them. You really blessed that child and I know that blessings will be returned to you. You are a great person!

Conny Warren said...

It probably made his mother's day too because you talk to him like he was a person and didn't just tell him to get away. They were lucky to run into you.

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Asking was a show of self-control. Allowing it was kind. I'm impressed... Many would not have done so well.

Astrid (…and the kitties too) said...

What Elisa said! You are totally awesome. <3

momsbusy said...

That was the best possible response you could have given. Everyone left happy. No matter what Max says, you have an awesome heart and a quick mind.

Patzys Place said...

Good job! You made his day, probably his week or month!