I honestly try to do what I think will help others, make their day, or let them know they’re loved.
Thursday night (before I left town) I was working at the grocery store. An obviously frazzled mother comes through my checkout lane with a small toddler. Her card bounces and she looked absolutely heartbroken. My manager was apologetic and offered to put the foods back, but I cut them both off and swiped my own debit card. I thought she was going to break down and cry. It never even crossed my mind not to do it. Before my manager mad even finished I asked the woman to hit the green button, and they just looked at me. I didn’t say anything else, just repeated, press the green button for credit for me. I loaded her groceries into the cart and wished her a good night. The child just waved at me and the mother was at a loss for words, she just said thank you. Poor woman. I hope she and the kid are doing alright today. They didn’t buy much. But it wasn’t like she bought cheetos and junk food. It was all vegetables and a few packs of diapers and wipes.
I don’t understand why everyone behind her in line looked like I had done some great thing. I didn’t cure cancer, turn water to wine, perform a magic trick. I bought a mother groceries. It breaks my heart that it seemed like I performed a miracle. It’s just money. I can’t take it with me when I go. It can’t buy happiness. It can’t buy love. Money doesn’t dictate who we are inside. We choose what to do with it.
Seeing that woman truly happy and grateful was worth way more than a trip to the movies or going out to dinner. I like knowing that for at least a few more days her and her family can eat, and that the child has diapers to wear. I don’t see how anyone else could have done differently.
I don’t know why I’m posting this. I guess it’s been bothering me.