I never post personal stories but this affected me a great deal....Yesterday I stopped at Walmart on my way home from work. I only needed a few things so I was in the under 20 items line. I was, as always, in a hurry and the lady checking out in front of me was taking forever and writing a check. I was getting frustrated of course. Then I noticed what was going on directly beside me. An elderly man was checking out in another 20 item or less lane. He clearly had more than 20 items (in his defense Walmart never has adequate lanes open) and people behind him were getting upset and making comments. Then the cashier told him his total and he put his head down and began going through his cart looking for items to take off his order. He was probably late 60s in a factory type uniform, dirty and clearly tired from work. As he started to put things back that were basic need items, juice, bread, etc...I stopped him and asked how much he needed. Now ANYONE who knows me is aware I do not have a dime to my name. I actually got my first paycheck yesterday and needed every penny but I could not watch this go on next to me. I offered to help him and he declined, looking in my cart he observed my diapers and wipes and said I needed my money for my little ones at home. My response was simple. I said yes I have 6 children and not one of them would think twice about giving you their own money either so please let me help you. He went on to tell me he needed the socks because he can barely make in through work each day from the pain in his legs and he thought new socks would help. He went on to try justify everything in his cart. And then continued to put things back. I insisted he stop and I told the clerk to please place the groceries back in his cart. I asked how much he had, he told me. So I paid $26.02 leaving him a bit of money for gas or maybe lunch for today. Suddenly the people around us who had been watching this transpire reached into their pockets and gave him anything they could afford. Maybe he ended up with $20 but that wasnt the point. Everyone including myself was upset or frustrated or in a hurry, complaining, sighing but a simple act changed everyone moods. They were laughing and talking amongst themselves, each a stranger to another. I do not know his story and I never will but I will never forget that man and I hope he is smiling thinking of me too.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:21:32 +0000
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