Mopping Up

'Go not to those who need you, but to those who need you most.'

Who said that? Answer at the end.*

This quote reminds me of a time when the children were teeny. We were living in a part of the north of England where the thing to do, if you're having a hard time, is to pop in on a friend or neighbour and have a good cry. Dear Reader, it was Potty Training Season, and I was just thinking it was time to persuade two and a bit year old LOS to make an effort when the doorbell rang. The poor lady just made it as far as a chair before bursting into tears. LOS, who has always had a kind heart, was concerned. He stood watching her with his head a little on one side while absent-mindedly wetting the carpet. (1)

For a moment I looked from one to the other and wondered who to mop up first, then decided that the lady was old enough to sort herself out, so I left her a box of tissues while I whisked LOS away and made him socially acceptable again. By the time I got back downstairs the lady was looking and feeling a lot better and we had a wee cup of tea and a chat. The dog had been taking care of her, he was good at that. LOS played happily with his sister who had very sensibly ignored the whole proceeding.

No lasting damage was done to the carpet.

(1) this will not embarrass LOS. He's very proud of it.

* John Wesley