Words.

I struggle to find a title to this post, because I don't know how best to convey how powerful just one word can be.

"Stupid little brat."

Those words echoed in the packed train car, more so because it was rush-hour, and people didn't know how to react, where to look, so we all just dug our noses into our free newspapers.

"Oh, just fucking shut up.. we're almost home already."

I watched as the young mum pushed her tired 6-year old to the side, genuinely frustrated that he was acting.. well..like a normal kid. His sister sat in the pram, looking like a 2-year old that's already had a bit of a rough life. The girl reached out to touch the hand of a passenger that stood close to her, wanting to play.

"No, I said no, fucking brat. Leave that lady alone. "

The passenger nodded at the girl telling her that it was okay to play. It was okay to reach out. But the girl seemed confused that someone was being nice to her.

The girl then turned to me. I was standing next to this little family, holding onto the pole in the middle of the car, with my newspaper hanging loosely in my other hand. She reached for my paper, gingerly touching it and then looking at me for approval, to see if it was okay to touch.

"No, I said NO. I said to fucking leave those people alone!"

This is where I reached my threshold. My eyes were burning from trying to hold back tears, and I was clenching my fists to suppress my anger at this woman. So looking directly at her, I said:

"Hey, she's just a baby. Give her a break, okay?"

The mother briefly looked at me, shrugged and then looked away, blandly ignoring her kids.

The 2-year old kept looking at me, and now her brother became interested, gingerly commenting that he liked the photo on the front of the paper. But both of them were wary, like timid animals. They just stared at me, but couldn't figure out how to respond to me. How to accept my encouragement to play a little.

It broke my heart as I left the car and headed home to my own little girl*, wondering what life was like for those kids and unfortunately, imagining the worst.

I don't presume to understand how tough it is for a young mother of two, probably living on benefits. She may be a single mum as well, and maybe has no idea how to figure her life out. She could possibly be at the depths of her frustration, if not a little resentful about being a mum at her age in the first place.

But the only thing I do know, is that no matter how bleak it looks, the words you choose are the words that your kids will use someday. At the end of the day, when they're dreaming, they'll remember those moments. All they really need (all anyone needs, really) is kindness, patience and affection. It's not that easy, but sometimes it really is, you know?


*And gave her extra kisses, knowing how very lucky I am for my little family.