I was driving through a neighborhood near my house and saw a young girl dressed up in a party dress with a table covered with cupcakes. I was on my way to an appointment, but decided to drop back by on my way home. I just glanced at the sign she had in front of the table and thought she was selling cupcakes for $6.

When I returned, I pulled out my wallet as I'm oft to do, being a strong supporter of kids with lemonade stands and the like so that I can preach the benefits of capitalism to them. I was surprised to find out that she was not selling cupcakes, she was giving them away. It turns out that it was her sixth birthday, and because of the shelter in place, she was not allowed to have a party with her friends. But no one said that she could not give away cupcakes for her birthday.

This happened a couple of days ago and I cannot shake the memory. I tried to put myself in her place, but I had no way of doing that. I thought about the disappointment at a young age of being deprived of one of the best moments of one's Young Life.

I have to admit, that of all the things that have outraged me about this whole situation, this one really hit me hard for some reason. She was probably too young to even know who was behind all this, or who was taking advantage of the situation, who to blame, who to ask to fix it, and I wondered if it would be the last time that she would have to face this.

Then I thought about all the kids not enjoying the swimming pools in our neighborhood. About the little league baseball not being played. About the trampoline park being closed down. How there were no movies for them to go see.

Summers used to last forever when I was a child. This summer must be incredibly long for so many kids. It could be five or six months before they get to see their friends again from school.

I did not take a cupcake from her. Her mother was on the porch watching and I could tell that she was just as disappointed as her daughter was. I reached in my wallet and pulled out a 20 and gave it to her. I told her that I was sorry that she was having to go through this, and I wanted her to take the money and buy her something that she would keep forever. Something that would remind her to always be the best she could be.

I only wish that someone had done that to so many of our leaders when they were young. I hope it would have made a difference then and I hope I have made a difference now.