While waiting my order at the local McDonald’s, I couldn’t help but notice the worried expression on the face of a mother who entered the restaurant with her daughter, who didn’t seem to be older than six. Excited, the girl asked her mom if they could have a Happy Meal.
The mom seemed worried, but looking at her daughter, she agreed.
They took a seat next to my table, and I saw the mom splitting the burger in two, giving her daughter the bigger portion. She then took out a small thermos and poured tea into a plastic cup she had brought along.
She paid for the food with a crumpled wad of cash she clutched tightly in her hand.
As I ate my meal, I couldn’t help but overhear bits of their conversation.
I learned they were coming from the hospital when the little girl asked for a Happy Meal. She had never had one before, and her mother wanted to fulfill her wish.
Though I didn’t know what condition the girl was suffering from, I overheard that their medical expenses were overwhelming.
Wanting to ease their day, I ordered another burger and placed it on their table. “For the girl,” I said and smiled. Both the mom and the daughter thanked me, and it was obvious my gesture meant a lot to them.
That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about them, so the following day, I went to the hospital they mentioned.
There, I learned that the girl was diagnosed with leukemia, and the mother quit her job as a teacher to be able to take care of her full-time.
From that moment on, I helped however I could. Whether it was with groceries, bus tickets, or an occasional Happy Meal from McDonald’s.
The mother was hesitant to accept much help, so I found ways to anonymously contribute toward their medical expenses.
One day, while at McDonald’s, the little girl, Lily, walked up to me and said, “Thanks for helping my mom.”
In that moment, I realized my efforts had brought them a small measure of relief.
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