Kind Dick’s Sporting Good Employee Spends 30 Minutes Teaching Frustrated Boy How To Tie Shoelaces – Love What Matters

early difficulties

“My son Titus has always had trouble tying his shoes and buttoning his shirt or pants. As in, he can’t do it at all. We’ve worked with him so many times over the years, trying to help him get his little fingers to do what they need to do, but it seems they can’t.

All of these lessons end in tears and frustration for us, his parents and him. Last year we decided to go back to velcro shoes and shorts with elastic waistbands to avoid that morning meltdown. That worked well for us. Unfortunately, his feet have continued to grow, and larger shoes rarely have Velcro.

Unexpected act of kindness

Last week I took the kids to Dick’s Sporting Goods for back to school and Titus fell in love with a pair of bright red Adidas shoes… with laces. As we walked to the seats to try them on, in the rush of school every morning, I immediately realized what lace-up shoes mean to him and me. We sat down and put them on, and Jay Jay, the salesman, said to Titus, ‘Quickly lace up your shoes, little man, and I’ll see if they fit you right.’ I said Jay Jay Titus has a hard time tying his shoes and we were still working on it.

Jay Jay said, “I can teach you. My mother always confused me when I was learning from her, so maybe I can help you the way I learned.’ Jay Jay sat there next to Titus and explained to him “bunny loops” and where to put his pinky fingers on those laces to get the best grip for the next step. Titus couldn’t, and tears welled up in his eyes.

At one point Titus turned to me and said, ‘I’m the only third grader in the whole world who can’t tie his shoelaces.’ None of that stopped Jay Jay; he sat patiently and continued to work with Titus, who kept telling him, ‘You’re going to get this, I know you can do it!’ For 25 minutes Jay Jay taught my son how to tie his shoes. He even used a pair of shorts as an example of how to tie a bow.

I told Jay Jay he had the patience of a saint. Another customer asked him about shoes her size, and on the way to get them, I overheard Jay Jay saying to the customer, “I’ll make sure that boy knows how to tie his shoes before he leaves!” After When I asked my other kids if they could tie their shoes, and each one of them confirmed they could, Jay Jay said, “Teach your little brother, help him.” If you see him struggling, help him.”

As a mom watching the development, I went away and let Jay Jay work his magic. With tears in my eyes I took a few pictures. And then it happened, Titus tied his shoes! He did it! After two years of tears and frustration, Titus tied his shoes because of a young man named Jay Jay who took the time to teach a little man that if he kept practicing he could make it!

to feel fulfilled

We told Jay Jay we were grateful, bought our bright red lace-up Adidas and left. As soon as we got home, Titus sat down and continued practicing tying his shoes. And wouldn’t you know, his older brother sat next to him and encouraged and helped him when Titus got stuck. Since then, Titus has practiced tying his shoes every day. I know that on the first day of school next week Titus will tie them all alone with pride. And when they are untied at school, which they inevitably will be, Titus does not have to ask his teacher for help.

I hope Jay Jay’s parents know they raised this young man the right way. I hope that one day, 10 years from now, Titus will meet a little man who needs help tying his shoes and be able to say, “I can teach you, Jay Jay taught me how to tie shoes like this, and it did.” Works for me!” Thanks, Jay Jay.”

This story has been submitted love what matters by Brandy Lidbeck. Submit your own story here. be sure to Subscribe to to our free email newsletter for our best stories and youtube for our best videos.

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