A Lesson in a Supermarket

New Dimensions’ guest, Susan Moon, tells the story of her mother’s circle of women friends. They call themselves,“Mother’s of Daughters” and would have a gathering each time a daughter came to visit from far away. Although their hands were shaking and many used walkers to help them get around, they had each lived vibrant and interesting lives. So often we are quick to dismiss our elders. We can be impatient with them as they amble slowly down the grocery store aisles blocking our way as we rush around in our “busy” and “important” lives. There was a day, however, when I was stopped in my tracks by a young man who had a different view from mine.

I was waiting in an express checkout line in my local grocery store when I noticed the line came to a stop. There was an elderly, grey-headed woman in the line ahead of me and she had many, many more groceries than the designated ten. The young man, who looked to be in his twenties, was patiently ringing her groceries up. I was surprised that he didn’t admonish her but just carefully scanned all her items. He then called someone over to bag them. Unlike me, who prides herself to be as efficient as possible, she didn’t have a debit card or a credit card or anything like that. She had to write out a check and, she didn’t have it out and ready when the young man told her the total. She fumbled in her purse to find it as those of us behind her shifted uneasily on our feet as we grudgingly waited for her to finish. There was nothing for us to do while the young man patiently asked her, “Do you have help? Is someone picking you up?” She says yes. He calls an assistant and instructs him to take help her out to curb where she can meet her ride. Slowly she puts her check book away and with shaking fingers, snaps her purse closed and proceeds with halting steps to move out of line. I was next and as I step up to the register the young man looks at me and he says, “You know, we will all be there someday.”

My heart melts and my impatience disappears. In this age of efficiency and rush, this astute young man demonstrated a true sense of graciousness and kindness. My prayer in the New Year is to carry this lesson and to pass it on whenever and wherever I can.
Many blessings to you in 2011.

Photo: Chris Pugh (cc by 2.0)