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REACHING OUT TAUGHT ME
On the
spur-of-the-moment after seeing the Wal-Mart store
sign I quickly pulled into the parking lot. My
rationale was that it wouldn??™t be busy at 1 p.m. and since I only needed a few things I could be in and out rather
quickly. I had an hour and a half to reach home
before my friend arrived. She had called me earlier
and said she was going to stop by. I assured her I
would be home.
List
in hand I hurried along gathering up the few things
then made my way to the nearest checkout stand.
Glancing around # 15 looked like the perfect place.
There was only one customer ahead of me -only a mother
and small child and the cart beside her were loaded
with filled bags.
I
pulled my cart up behind her, grabbed the separation
rod and unloaded my things in the empty spot. Without
delay I retrieved my checkbook from my purse and
filled in date, signature and started to fill out ???who
to??? when someone said, ???Excuse me, Ma??™m, but would you
mind moving back so we can get this other cart in ??“ it
belongs to the lady in front of you. Needless to say I
was startled and managed to stammer ???Oh, sure
thing???. It was then I noticed this young woman was
pregnant, looked sorely tired and also looked as if
delivery was nigh.
The
clerk interrupted my thoughts??? Since you have already
unloaded your groceries we will just take her other
things right from the cart.
The
two customers behind me cooperated as well as we all
moved to make room. g. One basket checked and filled
and the 2nd basket almost finished the
young man gave a little sigh of relief muttered, maybe
I??™ll make it yet!??? Before he finished the last
syllable, another clerk pulled up with still another
cart loaded to the hilt and began unloading it for the
young woman. At the back of me came a ripple of
conversation from the two young men waiting to check
out. ???Boy, I have never seen anyone buy so many
groceries,??? said one. The other didn??™t reply evidently
unable to comment after noticing what was happening
next - the young woman was handing the clerk a big
handful of coupons. There was not a sound. We all
three watched just watched ...each probably wondering,
how much longer.
The
three full baskets were lined in a row ready to travel
with their owner. The young man behind me immediately
said out loud almost as if he were speaking to
himself. ???She can??™t manage all those baskets and that
little child and in that heat??¦its 105 degrees
outside.??? He moved as he spoke forgetting that he was
in the checkout line. The young mother was very
apologetic. ???I am sorry I made you all wait.??? And
before she could say anything more, my young hero took
hold of the cart and encouraged two other workers to
come along and help out. Now I stood in total
amazement looking from one to the other for I had
overheard him say he had a doctor??™s appointment.
???Standing with checkbook in hand I was startled as the
clerk touched my arm, ???That will be $35.94,??? Ma??™m, I
said that will be 34.95!??? Coming to life, I muttered,
???Oh, yes, ???and finished writing out my check. About
that time the young man came hurrying back the two
other workers stayed to finish the job he started. He
said, ???I have never seen anyone try so hard and that
was a lot of coupons, he commented and the other
customer behind him remarked, ???I have never seen
anyone buy that many groceries at one time and alone
too.???
The
explanation came quickly from the young store clerk,
???She was stocking up for her family before she would
have to rush to the hospital. This will be her third
child and it was easy to see she had planned and even
saved coupons to make sure her family would have what
they needed while she was in the hospital.??? The
protective young clerk stood there with a twinkle in
her eye or maybe it was a tear, as she seemed to feel
she needed to defend this young mother. It was easy to
see the pride in the young woman??™s eyes. ???I hope
someday I??™ll be that kind of mother.???
Waiting for my receipt I told the young man what a
nice thing he had done giving her help when he too,
was in a hurry. ???Me? No, it was a privilege! I never
want to be so busy that I miss seeing someone in
need.???
I
walked to my car realizing I was now at least 30
minutes later than I had planned but a more
significant thought followed. ???Why, that is about the
best 30 minutes I have spent in a long time.??? In
contemplation as I write this today a beautiful
feeling consumes me, Love was shown, patience
applied, and compassion was felt and hopefully we will
remember the smile on the expectant mother??™s face as
the tremendous young man ran to her rescue. And my
young friend wherever you are I pray I will always
follow your admonition ??“ that I will never miss seeing
someone in need. .
?©
20-04 Dorothy Casper
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