A Mother’s Meeting With A Slow-Moving Vehicle Sparks A Viral Photo

On her blog, “Thoughts, Dots, and Tots,” Hailey describes herself as a “mom, wife, Mormon, counselor, and professional worrier with a love for polka dots and zombies.” One morning, she felt frustrated while stuck in traffic, particularly behind an older SUV that seemed to be having trouble. As she got closer, she noticed a sign in the back window of the Ford that read, “Learning stick, sorry for any delay.”

This moment sparked a realization for Hailey about herself rather than the driver. She snapped a photo of the sign and shared her thoughts on Facebook, reflecting not only on her own reactions but also on the people we meet in our daily lives.

Recognizing that the driver was learning to handle a stick shift, she noted, “I was patient with their slow shifting, and honestly, they were doing quite well for someone still in the learning process.”

She then asked herself, “Would I have been so understanding if I hadn’t seen the sign? I can almost guarantee the answer is no.” This reflection led her to a deeper insight.

“We often don’t know what others are dealing with. Unlike the sign on the car, we don’t display our personal struggles publicly,” she explained. “You won’t find labels on people saying, ‘Going through a divorce,’ ‘Grieving a loss,’ ‘Feeling depressed,’ or ‘Battling illness.’” She concluded that if we could visually grasp what others are experiencing, we would likely be more compassionate. Yet, she emphasized that we shouldn’t need signs to inspire kindness. It’s important to offer compassion to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. “Let’s extend extra patience, kindness, and love to all,” she urged.

We often overlook the challenges faced by those around us, and it is hoped that Hailey’s insights and the simple message from that sign will encourage others to practice greater empathy.