Yesterday, while at the grocery store, filled with madness of holiday shopping, the boys and I were gathering items in the baking aisle, a confused woman (probably in her 70's) came up to me and said she couldn't find the juice. Said she thought the aisle sign said juice, but she didn’t see juice anywhere. I told her that juice was about 3 aisles over, she nodded and turned around. A few minutes later, I saw her approaching me again, and was now teary eyed, and explained she had had a stroke and sometimes forgets things, and what she really needed was oil. This elderly woman was on the brink of crying. Before I knew it, I had my arm around her, and gave her a hug.
She smiled, and then seemed relieved to see the shelves of cooking oil. I felt compelled to ask if she needed anything else? Did she need my boys to gather the rest of her items on her list? Did she need help getting checked out? Gosh, did she need help getting home?? All these questions entered my mind. She seemed collected after finding the oil, and I didn’t ask, then we headed toward produce while she inspected the items on the shelf. Should I have gone back and asked?? I don't know.
All I can do is think, when I'm that age, confused and fragile, in a grocery store filled with chaos, that someone will stop, and help me find the oil.
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3 comments:
this touched my heart...and you know why. i love you and the kindness in your heart...i to wonder how life will be for me when i'm older..it's scary, isn't it?
I'm so glad that you were there to help her. I understand the feeling of wondering if you should have done more; I'm not sure what more you could have done ... that you did anything, and with such kindness, speaks volumes. And may have been just what she needed to re-center herself and complete her tasks.
Great story, thanks for sharing
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