DADADEL
A dad, carrying his 6-year-old daughter about to undergo her 7th round of chemotherapy, faced sudden criticism from a man who labeled his child “lazy.” Tempted to retaliate, the dad’s response left the stranger in tears on the street.
As Brent Gehring exited the Union Oyster House in Boston, Massachusetts, accompanied by his 6-year-old daughter Emma one evening, an unexpected encounter left him reeling. The duo had just enjoyed a meal generously provided by a longtime family friend, yet their positive evening took a sour turn due to the rude comments of a passing stranger.
Crossing the street, Brent held Emma close in his arms, a routine born out of her ongoing battle with cancer. Emma, facing her seventh round of chemotherapy for a brain tumor, relied on her walker for mobility. Unaware of this, a man nearby shouted derogatory remarks, oblivious to the young girl’s struggles, demanding she walk—a stark illustration of ignorance in the face of adversity.
Brent faced a pivotal moment, torn between reacting angrily to a rude stranger or imparting a life lesson. With his daughter in his arms, he confronted the man, quietly questioning if he meant his daughter.
“I won’t lie to you and tell you that it was an easy choice, but I got inches from his face, with my daughter in my arms, and quietly asked him if he was referring to my daughter. ‘Hell yes,’ he said,” Brent recalled in a Facebook post. “My daughter has been carrying my faith and my strength for the past 5 years since she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She can’t walk but I am happy to carry her because of all the amazing things she has taught me through the years. So, I would advise you not address my daughter in any way other than respectful.”
“I won’t tell you the rest of the story but it ended with two grown men with tears rolling down their faces. One that needed to have his eyes opened to what real life and real love is and one that is always needing a reminder that good can come from any situation,” the dad added.
Brent’s Facebook post wasn’t just a recounting of events; it held a deeper purpose. “What I am asking is for a change in today’s world,” Brent wrote, “a change in the way we think.” The dad continued, “The world is what we as people make it. We have the power to make days better or worse for others. I choose to attempt to make lives better.”
Continuing, Brent Gehring elucidated the significance of his narrative: It serves as a poignant reminder that snap judgments rarely capture the full picture. Few of us traverse life’s paths without sizing up strangers, often without pondering why. It’s intrinsic to human nature to evaluate our surroundings and form conclusions. Yet, occasionally, our perceptions veer significantly off course.
“So, don’t judge others,” Brent warned. “You have the power to make people’s days better or worse. What did you do today? What will you do tomorrow? I promise you this, through hell and high water, Emma has made each and every day of my life a blessing. I praise God for bringing her into my life. Emma, you are perfect just as you are, and we will help carry you through chemo #7.”
Brent Gehring and his daughter faced the consequences of unfair judgment. Despite our natural inclination to assess situations and behaviors, it’s imperative to exercise empathy and wisdom. Being subjected to unjust criticism is a painful ordeal, highlighting the importance of compassionate discernment in our interactions.
