that lady with the wic card [and iphone]

I will never again judge people on welfare.

Over the past few months, I have received--unwillingly--a huge dose of humility. And empathy. And some "You don't know my story, but that's ok; you don't need to" attitude.

On three different occasions, I was that lady standing at the cash register with a shopping cart full of WIC items and no idea how to use the card--that lady with the iPhone and designer wallet. Embarrassed that I even had a WIC card. Embarrassed that someone might see. Embarrassed when the cashier saw my groceries and automatically asked, "Is this all WIC?"

"We're not really poor!" I wanted to tell everyone in the checkout line, even though none of them actually cared that I had a WIC card and the chances that I would see any of them again (and remember them) were slim to none. "We're just fostering kids right now and we can use every last bit of help! I also have two stepsons that we support, so it's sort of like we're supporting four kids!"

The first time, I hid my phone in my pocket (because it's not like the iPhone silhouette is obvious, or anything) and tried to keep the card hidden until the absolute last second. Except, then I didn't know how to use it, so the process took about three times longer than it should have.

It was worse when my friend and I stopped by Operation Once in a Lifetime--after all, just a few weeks prior I had called to find out what was needed so I could make a donation. But all of a sudden, I'm filling out paperwork in order to check out the food pantry. I even began to fold up the paperwork, reluctant to hand it over even though I'd filled it out. My conversation with the volunteer went something like this:

"I'd like to keep this and talk to my husband about it, first. We probably won't need assistance within a few days."

"What do you mean?"

"The kids are with us temporarily, and I'm sure that we'll be fine after that."

"Honey, just fill it out. You never know. Not too long ago, I realized that we needed food and we hadn't been paid yet, so I just came in here."

So, I begrudgingly handed in the paperwork ... and walked out with a bag of squash and zucchini, a ham, two tenderloin steaks, and some sausage.

It was enough to take care of the kids until they left.