‘I’ve been there, mama’: Vicksburg mother searching for stranger after touching act of kindness

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A Vicksburg mother is searching for the stranger who brought her to tears with a small act of kindness during a hectic shopping trip this week.

Nikki Edleston, who was shopping with her two young children Tuesday at the Family Dollar on U.S. 27, said an unknown woman quickly handed her money, smiled, and told her, “I’ve been there, mama, and I just want you to know you’re doing a great job.”

Before she could respond, the woman left the store.

“It was overwhelming , I just broke down crying right there in the aisle,” Edleston said. “She didn’t even give me time to say thank you. I just want her to know how much it meant to me.”

Edleston said she was juggling her 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son when the woman approached. The gesture, she said, gave her encouragement on a difficult day.

Since then, she has turned to social media, asking the community to help her identify the woman so she can thank her in person.

“This was literally the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” she said. “I pray this story reaches her somehow.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Edleston through her photography business page, Bluu Diamond Photography or bluudiamondphotography@gmail.com.