THIS MORNING, outside a Faribault grocery store, I observed a White man overtly express his disgust for three Somalis. “Jesus Christ!” he exclaimed, looking directly at them.
I knew exactly what he meant. And it made me sick to hear the Lord’s name taken in vain by this man who clearly held nothing but disdain for Somalis. His tone of voice, his word choice, the way he looked at the trio told me precisely how he felt. And it was not loving, accepting or kind.
Here’s the situation leading to the man’s outburst: A Somali man, returning his cart to the grocery store cart corral, offered his cart to a Somali mom and her son heading into the grocery store. The cart rolled a short ways across the pavement. Not toward anyone. Not toward any vehicle. But it was enough to prompt the White guy to emphatically state, “Jesus Christ!”
I was so taken aback by his two words that I turned around and looked at him. He didn’t see me. He was walking away toward his parked vehicle. But I hope he felt the heat of the fire flaming from my eyes. Such intolerance does not sit well with me.
Onward I went with my grocery shopping, crossing paths occasionally with the Somali mom and her son, about 13. I waited in the check out line behind them, observed the son unloading groceries and then packing them to wheel out in his cart.
As I walked toward my vehicle, I saw the boy wheeling his cart back toward the grocery store. I stopped him. “I’m so proud of you for helping your mom,” I said after confirming the woman was his mother. His face lit up into a broad smile. “Thank you,” he said.
Two words. Beautiful. Appreciative. And nothing at all like the words spoken by the man who failed to see what I saw—a mom and her son heading into the grocery store on a Saturday morning. Just like me.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Thank you Audrey for reminding us to be kind to those we encounter in our daily comings and goings.
You’re welcome, Ann. I had several opportunities today to show kindness while I was out and about.
What a kind and beautiful act, Audrey. After that horrible uttering at them, you offered them an alternative and I’m sure it helped to turn that experience around and renew a faith that not everyone saw them as that horrible racist man did.
We all do what we can when we can to make a positive difference. And I had the opportunity to uplift this family.
An interesting story. Thank you for showing kindness to this family.
I’m thankful I could offer them some kindness.
I’m so glad you had a chance to bring a smile into that boy’s experience. It is horrendous to think of the ugly behavior he and his mother and so many other people face day after day after day. Thank you 💞🙏 for making a difference.
When I can make a positive difference, I choose to do so.
It doesn’t take a lot to be kind and for those of us who it comes naturally to it is just commonplace. Keep it up.
You excel in kindness, my friend.