Just got back from the supermarket. Why, oh why does the weather change so abruptly? It was so nice when I left the house cause it was an overcast sky... translate... not blistering hot. On my way home though...

Anyway, something happened at the supermarket today that really tore my heart out. There was this mother with her little boy. Apparently, the boy asked his mom to buy him something to drink... it wasn't even soda or fruit juice or anything frivolous... just a cold, healthy milk beverage. And apparently, the mother asked the boy to stand in queue so they wouldn't have long to wait at the cashier's. But you know how boys are, so for some reason, he left the queue and lost his place.

Suddenly, we heard the mother berating the little boy, shouting reprimands... yackity yackity yack.

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY HERE, THEN YOU GO! LOOK, PEOPLE GOT LOTS OF THNGS TO BUY! YOU WANT ME TO WASTE MY TIME WAITING IN LINE?!? YOU STUPID, ARE YOU!!! BETTER NOT BUY THIS STUPID DRINK!'

And at that, she threw the drink to one of the vegetable crates and turned her back to the boy.

The poor boy just looked at the drink, unable to pick it up... his hands contorted into a stiff knot, his frightened eyes tearful as he looked at his mom, then at the drink and back at his mom.

Impatiently, the mother dragged the boy by the arm still yacking, and it was all the boy could do not to stumble and skin his knee over crates and boxes... wanting to cry out but only able to let out a very small whimper.

I wanted to touch the mother and tell her that I was next in line anyway and she could go on ahead of me but I guess you don't simply do that here without getting at the wrong end of the rope. I so much wanted to do something for the boy but we were both helpless.

Why are people like that blessed with children?

I don't mean to be judgmental and I admit, I have absolutely no idea what kind of mother I'd turn out to be if I ever get the chance... I may not turn out to be any better. It's just sad that situations like this occur. I know that everything happens for a reason and maybe some reasons are not for us to know.

The thing is, we only get one shot at childhood and it seems to me that this kid is not having one hell of a time at it.

If you are a parent reading this... please, I beg of you... don't ever, EVER, treat your children that way. You may have your reasons now, but I'm pretty sure that on the day of reckoning, you won't be justified.

For crying out loud, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THEIR PARENT!