Gemotions

The screen flashed red: "Delayed." Her daughter’s dance recital. She'd promised, she'd sworn she'd be there. Her chest felt constricted, a painful ache of disappointment. She’d worked so hard to make it a reality.

She was standing, dejected, when she saw a little girl crying. Her favourite stuffed animal was lost. The girl’s mother was trying her best to calm her down, but to no avail. She got down on her knees and started searching the entire waiting area. She helped the mother look until the animal was found. The smile on the little girl's face was a balm to her own wounded heart. The delay became less about loss and more about giving.