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A Word Of Praise

I was on the train the other day and, to be honest, I hadn't been having the best of days. I was looking forward to a half hour of peace and quiet, so I quickly found a seat with no one around. I sighed and relaxed, but my moment of solitude wasn't to last for long.

At the very next station, a young mum and a little boy of about two got on. He was well dressed but her clothes and her hair had known better days. There was no ring on her wedding finger and no sign there ever had been. I guessed she was alone and struggling.

They sat just ahead of me and across the aisle, which meant I had an all too perfect view. Well, the little lad was up and down, up and down and just talked non-stop, asking what this was, what that did, what something else meant.

His mum answered every question he asked. No matter how silly the question she came back with an answer that taught her son a little something. His eyes would widen with each new piece of information absorbed - and then would come the next question!But surely, I thought, she is going to run out of patience any minute and tell him to sit down and shut up! Or, maybe it was just the grumpy part of me that hoped she would.

Well, she didn't. She gave him as much information as she could, always patiently, always lovingly, despite the fact that she looked work out. The boy was full of beans and jumping about and she let him, but any time he went too far she only had to speak once and he was back.

Now, I've been a dad for a long time and a single parent for quite a while too. I know the strains! I know how the pressures can build up! But, as the journey went on and I watched this young single mother cope, my mood changed from irritation at the disturbance to downright admiration.

As their stop approached, she leaned forward to help him get his wellie boots (gumboots) back on. When she pulled a large pine cone out of one ... well ... I just burst out laughing.

As she looked round, a little startled. I apologised for being nosy, then added, "But, I have to say, you are doing a fantastic job!"

Her face lit up for a moment, but, in true mummy style, she didn't have much time for such self indulgences. She had a child to organise, bags and a stroller to gather.

As they made their way to the door I heard the little lad ask what "the man" had said and I heard her quietly reply, "The man said mummy's doing okay."

Better than okay, I thought. Way better!

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