slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

A check-out line encounter.

By Isabel Wolseley Torrey, King City Oregon

The checkout clerk at the grocery store gave me a fistful of change. I was trying to corral the coins into my purse when the zipper jammed. "Murphy's Law," I muttered.

I didn't want to hold up the line, so I maneuvered my half-open purse and my two bags of groceries around to the end of the counter. There I continued my battle with the obstinate zipper.

The woman behind me paid for her items and noticed my frustration. "Let me help you move to that empty spot over there," she said, gesturing to a table. "It might be a little easier to manage. I'll grab your groceries."

Yes, I'm a senior citizen, and you look young enough to be my daughter, I thought, but I'm still capable of taking care of myself AND my groceries, thank you very much!

I was about to refuse her help, but the zipper slipped off its track again.

She brought the bags over to the table, then without any warning she threw her arms around me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. I think she was as startled as I was because she stepped back, looking flustered.

That's when her eye filled with tears and she told me, "I lost my mother a week ago today."

"I'm so sorry," I said. Now it was my turn to give her a hug. We stood together there for a moment, tears in both of our eyes.

She squeezed my hand and went on her way. The time elapsed? Two minutes, tops. But the lesson learned? Invaluable. When someone wants to help you, let them. They might need it even more than you.

eden

Thank you for posting that Lon.

bahmer

Very good Slat and oh so true.

badbobby Loc: texas

dam Slat
that's two tear jerkers today
are you tryin make me sad ???

bahmer

He's trying to make you feel sorry for him so you
will forgive him all of his IOU's that he owes you.
That way he will think that he has won.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Just trying to help you understand that even Marines can be sensitive, New-Age kind'a guys.

badbobby Loc: texas

tee hee
haw haw

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

teabag09

I found both to be educational and uplifting. Agree, double tears in the eyes. Mike

bahmer

Hey your boy Jordan Spieth really killed it yesterday at the Masters, five birdies in a row on the back nine. WOOOOOW He's at six under at the start of the day.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

My lessons to him started kicking in.

billy a Loc: South Florida

In our short lives,these unplanned special moments make God smile.I think they happen more than we realize.We are Blessed to be capable of love.
Peace. Billy