Tuesday, November 24, 2009

We Like Nice People


This afternoon, I headed out to my local Giant Eagle
to pick up a few essentials.
(Bagels, Dorito's and Diet 7up)

No, I didn't have "the munchies."


My trips to the supermarket are generally spent
giving other people the right-of-way, even though
in most cases, they don't actually deserve it.

They walk in front of you, and act as if they didn't see you.

They leave their cart unattended in the middle of an aisle,
as they read the ingredients on a mac-n-cheese box.
(Seriously?!?)

When waiting in a checkout line, and a new register
opens...how often is it the "next person in line" that is
actually the first to run over?
(It's usually someone 4th or 5th in line,
that seems to
be in the biggest hurry ever.)

I generally just shake my head, and wonder what goes on
in some people's brains.

And today's trip was no different.
(Well, maybe a little.)

After being cut-off by a few unhappy looking shoppers, I
arrived at checkout lane #3.

The woman in front of me paid by check, which surprised
me, as I didn't think they still made those things.

I handed the cashier my old-school, credit-card sized
Advantage Card.

The transaction was moving along swimmingly.

As I reached in my pocket for some cash, I heard a familiar,
yet not frequently heard voice say my name.

I turned around to see the face of one of the sweetest women
I have ever known, standing right behind me in line.

My mood instantly changed.

I gave her a big hug and a kiss, and started to ask her about
how she was doing, and other generalizations.

She has seen some tough years as of late, so it was great seeing
her smile.

Generally, as soon as I'm handed my receipt, I bolt
from
that building as if it was full of swine flu patients.

But not today.

We talked while the clerk rung up her items.
(Consisting mostly of Thanksgiving supplies.)

I helped her take the huge bag of potatoes out of the cart,
and nearly threw my back out, lifting her ginormous frozen bird.

I repacked her cart with the bags, and walked her to her car.
Where I once again flirted with lifelong chiropractic care, by
picking up her turkey without proper knee bend technique.

Another hug/kiss and many well wishes, and I was on my way,
back to the opposite side of the lot.


I told my wife about seeing the sweet older lady, who
we both adore.

She was happy to hear she was doing well.

She then told me I had done my good deed for the day, by
helping her with her groceries.


The funny thing about good deeds...

If you are so happy to be doing them, they feel
nothing like an actual "deed."


It's only Tuesday, and we have something to be thankful for...

Nice people.


4 comments:

Lizzy_D said...

Your mac-and-cheese story reminds me of the time I was once almost roped in to a serious discussion of the merits of the different brands of kitchen garbage bags in Kmart.

My criteria can be summed up thusly: if it's on sale, I'll buy it. Double points if I have a coupon and it's on sale. If they do what they're supposed to do, which is to hold my garbage until I can lug it out to the trash can in the yard, then I'm satisfied with them. I don't care if it's a name brand or a store brand. The esoteric finer points of the gauge of plastic thicknesses, while it does have a purpose, is lost on me.

I'm not at all into debating it as if the fate of the free world hangs in the balance.

theNEWK said...

Great story!

Lucy said...

Hey Guys...I work for the City of New Ken and with the City's website. I linked you up, check it out. Great site...keep up the good work!

theNEWK said...

That's great! Thank you so much!

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Thanks for the input. Keep it real.