I stopped by McDonald’s for a quick bite and overheard a mom talking to her little girl. The girl said softly, “Can we eat here, please?” They bought one hamburger and sat at the table next to mine. The mom then pulled a thermos out of her bag and poured the girl what looked like tea.
As I sat there, I could hear gentle fragments of their conversation. They had just come from a hospital appointment, and the mother had budgeted just enough money for their bus fare home. She bought the hamburger not because they weren’t hungry, but because her daughter had always wanted to try McDonald’s “just once.” The little girl took small, careful bites, savoring every moment like it was a celebration. The mother watched her with a quiet smile, proud and tired all at once.
