My daughter had been counting down to her eighth birthday for weeks, planning every detail with pure excitement. More than anything, she wanted her best friend Ana there. But when Ana didn’t show up, her joy slowly faded into worry and disappointment. I called Ana’s mom several times, hoping for an explanation, while my daughter wiped quiet tears, clutching the gift bag she had prepared.
Two hours later, Ana finally arrived with her mom, both looking rushed and apologetic. Her mom explained there had been an unexpected work call and she couldn’t respond earlier. Still frustrated, I told them they could return home so they’d “learn to value time.” My daughter just stood there silently, unsure what to make of it. As they walked away, I felt a knot of doubt twist in my stomach.
That evening, I received a message from Ana’s mom. The “work call” had actually been a counseling appointment for Ana. She’d been struggling with anxiety, and that morning had been especially hard. She didn’t want to share such personal information in front of the kids. Reading her message, I felt my frustration dissolve into regret.
The next day, I invited them back for a small celebration. The girls played and laughed as if nothing had happened. Watching them reminded me how important compassion is — especially for struggles we cannot see.
That day taught me to pause, soften, and choose kindness first. Sometimes the greatest gift is understanding someone a little more than before.
