Raising children isn’t always easy, it’s one of the most significant challenges that every parent has to face at some point, especially if you’re a single parent. You have to be the father, the mother, and the friend in time of need.
Sean Whalen was thrown out of the house with both his mother and little brother when he was a child, after a brawl between the two parents. The mother had to raise the two children on her own. She struggled and had to work in two jobs to make ends meet.
30 years later Sean was with his own son having lunch at a restaurant. A moment later, he saw a waitress. and he immediately recognized how unsatisfied she was with her job, he got the feeling that she didn’t want to be there. Just like his own mother, this courageous waitress strove to bring food on the table.
It was when Sean and decided to do something special for the warrior. Now his story about his parents’ divorce and what happened in the restaurantis spreading on social media like wildfire. The story literally has brought tens of thousands to tears.
Sean wrote a heartwarming letter on Facebook about his visit to the Chinese restaurant with his son, and how he was reminded with his parents’ divorce, all the adversities he’s been through with his family, and his mother’s great sacrifice.
“DIVORCE. The day my parents split up is forever etched in my mind. Me and dad get into a big fight.
Me, mom and my little brother take off cause my dad is going nuts. We stayed at a hotel that night.
When we came back the next day my dad had changed the locks. I watched my mom plead with him through the door to let us in to get clothes…” He writes and continues.
“Me, mom and my little brother moved into a little condo and didn’t have jack shit.
People from the church brought over pots, pans, couches, beds, and food.
My dad cashed out the bank and literally left my mom with the money in her pocket.
Not a damn thing she could do. No family around.
No real support other than strangers from church.”
“I only began to realize what mom went through working multiple jobs when I became a single parent.
I never understood when I was younger the grind and effort she put in for me and my little brother.
She hustled.
She worked her ass off to just get by.
She did everything she could so that my brother and I had everything we ever wanted.”
So when Sean and his son sat in the restaurant, he saw a waitress – who seemed to be struggling, tired and uncomfortable. But the single mother was incredibly strong.
“Over small talk and water refills, I got the sense that this single mom didn’t want to be there, but had to be there and she was doing her best to smile.
It tore my heart out.
I thought of my mom, and I saw the same hustle in this woman that I saw in my mom. A single mom. Maybe by choice. Maybe not. But working on a Wednesday night to ensure she can put food on the table and shoes on the kids feet.
Not for opulence. Not for status. But to live.
To hopefully be able to provide the things for her kids that will put a smile on their face.
I empathized for her. I felt her pain.
I kept thinking of my mom and how difficult it is for a single woman to go from home maker, to bread winner.
I can’t even begin to understand what that must be like for some moms.
I know my tip won’t pay her rent.
I know my tip won’t pay for kids braces.
I know my tip won’t keep the fridge full.
But I hoped tonight in some way it might put a smile on her face, and she can go home to her babies happier than when she left them.”
“I don’t know her whole story. I don’t need to. I felt tonight that maybe along the way someone did this for my mom, and that’s what kept her going on nights she wanted to quit. I don’t know. I’ll likely never know. But I do know this:
I have been blessed beyond measure, and my mother paved the way for my persistence.
She showed me how to bounce back.
She showed me what work and effort is.
I hope this small gesture with my son tonight brightens this woman’s life so she can wake up tomorrow and fight a good fight.
Single moms who grind…. RESPECT.
You are beautiful and your posterity will learn from your efforts. They are watching you.
Just as I watched my mom.
Mom I love you.
You are my hero.”
Sean tipped the waitress with a $100 and left the restaurant with a whole new perspective about his mother and every single mother around the world, so heartwarming and such a nice move of him!
Please Share this incredible story with your friends and family on Facebook today.
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