It’s not uncommon to come across a young girl in a grocery store decked out head-to-toe in her favorite Disney princess get-up. Or even a small boy sporting a Ninja Turtles costume, because you never know when you’ll need to fight crime.
It’s one of my favorite things really—coming across a child wearing something that makes them feel pretty or empowered, and not one-bit concerned with the judgments or thoughts of others.
That’s exactly what Katie Shuler came across in her local Kroger this week. Through tears, she shared her encounter with a little girl wearing some BIG boots on Facebook:
“I find myself sitting in the parking lot at Kroger trying to compose myself. You see, while inside getting groceries, I came upon a little girl prancing down the isle making a crazy noise. I turned around to see this young lady wearing massive boots compared to her tiny body.”
“At first I just giggled and continued shopping. I ended up in the check out lane behind her and her mother. As good southerners do, we struck up conversation. I told the little girl that I liked her boots. She had a massive grin on her face and began to speak. She let me know that those boots belonged to her Daddy. Today would have been his birthday, but he was killed last year in ‘Afghan Stan.’ To feel better about today, she was allowed to wear his boots. As her mom started to cry, so did I, as did the cashier.
Apparently, the gentleman behind me heard the story and gave the little girl a cupcake out of the dozen he was buying. He told the little girl to always eat a cupcake for her dad’s birthday. He told her that her dad was a hero and that she should be proud to be his daughter.”
Katie’s post left thousands who shared it wallowing in tears. It was just the 4th of July post we all needed this week.
She closes with a reminder to everyone saying:
“Please remember why we are able to celebrate America. Let’s stop to think about those who protect the freedom that we often take for granted!”
God bless this little girl and her family. We are so grateful for her father’s sacrifice.
