That Kind of Person

Let me tell you a story about my Mom.
Once when I was in elementary school, I can not remember what grade exactly but it must have been third or fourth, and we had a field trip. My Mom volunteered to be a parent escort, and this was a huge thing because my Mom is shy, well, she was much more shy back then.
The trip was to a local "period farm"- you know the kind; candle dipping, costumes and the like.
Now we had a little girl in our class and she was bullied. Bullied I tell you. A total outcast. A person of social danger. I have no idea why, in my memory she doesn't stand out in any particular way. She was just the target. While I never took part in any of the bullying, I never stood up for her either. I never tried to be her friend, I was too afraid.
On this field trip, this rare display of my Mom coming out of her shell, she SAW this girl.  And she left my side to be with her. My Mom let me go off and play with my friends and SHE walked and talked with the Danger Girl. I remember someone asking me why my Mom was talking to HER and I didn't know, but right then I wanted it to stop.
I walked up to my Mom and asked her why she was talking to THAT girl, I remember the little girl just turned and walked away. My Mom looked down at me and very gently said, "because she needs a friend". I stood there and realized that my Mom was right and I said, "Yes, nobody plays with her and they are mean to her".
My Mom told me that she knew this, and then she talked to me about being nice, about not letting other people tell you what to do and how to act. My Mom stood there in the bright autumn sunshine and told me things about her school experiences and how much they hurt. My Mom laid her heart open to me, giving me the chance to step up and be better than I was.
I listened and then I ran off to be with my friends.
My Mom never said another word to me. As a matter of fact we have never discussed this, I wonder if she even remembers.
I still have this memory of my Mom walking along beside that girl. I have this memory of the look on her sweet little face. How happy my Mom made her.
While my Mom's lesson didn't take hold on that day, I have never in my life stood aside again and let someone be bullied. It gets me into trouble quite often actually but, every time I try to turn away, I see that little girl and my mom walking together in my mind. I open my mouth and use my God given talent for sass and attitude and I take a stand.
Not as graceful and loving as my mom, but some things do get lost in translation.
My mom is THAT kind of person. The best kind.