General News
8 November, 2026
Smiles with Sally: Two lollipops
I just wanted to give a huge shout out to the beautiful lady who works at the lolly shop! You have no idea how much that small gesture meant to me today.
I just wanted to give a huge shout out to the beautiful lady who works at the lolly shop!
You have no idea how much that small gesture meant to me today.
Having a two-year-old and a nearly four-year-old with ASD can mean going down the street to run a few errands can be extremely difficult sometimes.
My oldest was having a meltdown, and my two-year-old decided to join in, to the point I had tears in my eyes.
As I walked past the lolly shop I heard you say, "Hey Mumma… take these," and you ran out and handed me two lollipops.
Those two lollipops gave me 10 minutes of silence, and a clear mind as we walked back, finished our jobs and got in the car.
So thank you for seeing this stressed out mumma! Your kindness brought calmness when I needed it most.
This was a post on an Ararat Residents Facebook page, and I can tell you the staff member’s name was Abbey.
How beautiful is this story?
Noticing a mother struggling, seeing her, and offering the lollipops, but it’s not really about the lollipops, is it? It’s about Abbey really seeing the mother and offering support, rather than ignoring what was happening.
How often do we see someone struggling and ignore it?
We think we should just keep clear and let them work it out for themselves.
Do we think it is up to someone else to help, not us? Perhaps we get critical about the behaviour or circumstances rather than empathetic.
Of course, stepping in is not always the preferred option.
Some people may prefer to cope with things alone but you never know if you don’t ask.
Sometimes offering a simple smile, saying “You’re doing a great job,” or asking if there is anything you can do to help can make a big difference.
Even if your support is declined, the person on the receiving end will know you care, and perhaps that’s what it is really all about.
Not the support itself, but feeling truly seen and not judged.
We all have a story.
We often have no idea what is happening beneath the surface for the person standing in front of us.
So this week, why not take a little more time to notice who is around you.
Why not smile at someone and say, “Life can be tough sometimes, and I want you to know how amazing you are.”
You never know what someone might be carrying, or what your small moment of kindness might mean to them.