My Mother Didn't Tell Me I'd Find the Biggest Joy in a Mocha Frappicino

It was a late start to the day ...and my blood pressure was rising...I was late for a meeting of epic proportions...I rushed through the house picking up the things I needed and shoving them in my bag...grabbed my sunglasses and raced to the car.


The morning traffic as usual- stop and go...I felt the road rage bubbling to the surface as some creep cut me off. As usual the news informing of construction here and road closures there...and the newest horrendous crime for the day...


Finally rush through the parking lot, the elevators and the masses of morning commuters and make it to the meeting only 15 mins late- hair frizzy, suit crumpled, and certainly not feeling very corporate. After an hour and a half of heated discussion it seemed the objective of the meeting was lost in personal agendas and another scheduled for next week...


Feeling quite deflated that my amazingly wonderful idea was on the brink of total disaster I wandered into the cafe in the lobby and ordered a mocha frappicino...making my way through the crowds I found a spot to sit and contemplate and try to devise a strategy for next week...


As I furiously tapped out notes on my laptop I heard a woman ask if she could take the other seat at my table. "Sure," I replied...she popped her daughter in the chair and I offered to watch her while she ordered her coffee..."


Are you sure?"...
"Absolutely, it's not a big deal..I had little kids once too."


The women spoke to her daughter quietly and the little girl shook her head and sat in the chair.


She was a beautiful little girl about four with chestnut hair and brown eyes. She looked curiously all around the cafe and held her teddy very close.


"What's your name?" I asked
"Merideth" she replied
"Hi Merideth, i'm Brandy. What's your Teddy's name?"
"He is Frances."
 "Wow...he is pretty cool."

Meredith was shy. She would answer questions but never look at me, keeping her sight focused on all the activity in the cafe. We continued the question answer game and I learned Meredith liked cheerios for breakfast, playing in the park with her friend John, and eating chocolate chip ice cream.


Her Mom returned and sat- thanked me profusely for watching Meredith. I dove back into my laptop and got a bit lost in my work...when I felt a little hand on my arm, tugging at my sleeve...


"Hey, Meredith." 
"Don't bother the lady, she's working" her Mom scolded
"It's okay."


Meredith reached her hands to my face- I sat her on my lap...and it was in that moment I realized something different about her eyes. She ran her hands all over the contours of my face. 


"You're pretty" she said
"Why, thank you so are you."

She smiled. We sat there for half an hour. Meredith's mom explaining the challenges of a blind child, and the joys of it too. Meredith happily drinking her milk, talking to Frances and once in a while perching herself on my lap to touch my hair, or face.


As quickly as it had begun, it was over and Meredith's mom thanked me again and said...
"She rarely takes to strangers." 


I hugged Meredith goodbye and told her it was a pleasure meeting her. She held out Frances for a hug too...and then she and her Mom disappeared into the day...and I was left thinking...I had just experienced a humbling moment and a testament to the strength of overcoming those things we think insurmountable...


My Mother didn't tell me I'd find the biggest joy in a mocha frappicino...and that day I did.