H is for HUMILITY

When I was nearing the end of my first pregnancy, my husband and I took a trip to my home turf, Ohio. I remember the trip well, because I think we stopped about 15 times for bathroom breaks. Anyhow, one of those breaks took place at a rest stop in Kentucky. It was a busy travel day, and there was a line for the women's restroom out the door. I remember that it was a hot day, too. Everyone was very quiet and looked travel weary.

The woman in front of me went into a stall with her young son, who looked to be not yet three. Silence, but for the occasional flush and hand washing. Then the voice of the boy echoed through the restroom, fell on every ear, wafted out the door and into the marble hall around the information kiosk. "Mommy?! . . . Mommy! Are you picking your NOSE? Oh mommy, gross! Yuck mommy! Don't touch your boogers!"

And thus, this poor woman's moment of privacy became public. Out of the mouth of her babe. Oh, the humility!

Instantly, there was a sick feeling inside as I tried to swallow my laughter. But then, as I heard laughter spilling off the lips of all the other women in line, I let mine go, too. That poor woman never did come out of the stall (at least not while my turn came and went).

I laughed all the way back to the car. Then, I suddenly stopped laughing as soon as my swollen hand reached for the car door. It suddenly occurred to me: "You know, you're about to experience that — humility like never before." That sick feeling came back again.

There is nothing to humble womankind like becoming a mother. From the nine months of pregnancy when we slowly come to resemble some kind of alien more than ourselves; to the labor and delivery (need I say more about humility?); to the public outbursts and tears of our kids, with horrified people looking on in total "What's wrong with those parents?" fashion; to public "blowouts," when you are forced to leave the grocery store in 25-degree weather with an infant wearing only a diaper; to all those more than embarrassing things about us that our children seem to be hard-wired to share with total strangers. Our lives are filled with humility.

And yet, God allows these little ones to teach us this wonderful lesson. To be a parent, it is not possible to be filled with pride. You've just got to be open to the fact that every day will surely bring another humbling experience, and thank the Lord for each one.

For he has looked with mercy on my lowliness,
and my name will be forever exalted. . .
And Holy Is His Name. . .
- Mary's Magnifcat, as interpreted by
John Michael Talbot

Humility is more noble than other virtues, because it humbly bears things that are less noble and less esteemed.
- St. Anthony of Padua