I’m in Connecticut, dropping my daughter at camp (tomorrow’s blog will be filled with tears, I’m sure) and I was doing some laundry in a fairly sketchy neighborhood. While I was waiting for the washer, I decided to walk next door to a CVS.
Contrary to the dirty and somewhat unsafe neighborhood outside, the store was beautifully clean and well-lit. I felt like I was in heaven! I walked around, picked up a few things and went to the register.
There, at the checkout, was a guy, a customer, who was less than 5 feet tall. He clearly had not showered that day, nor maybe for weeks! His clothes were dirty and he was missing a number of teeth (I didn’t want to start counting them but I think there were at least three missing in front!)
As my things were rung up, the cashier asked me if I had a CVS card (answer – no). The customer asked me if I wanted to use his points card to get a discount and then asked if I just wanted to use his points. He called me “Lady.” I haven’t been called Lady in a long time!
I ended up saving $5. As we were walking out together he started telling me about his life. No parents, no siblings, lived above the laundry mat. His wife divorced him because he couldn’t hold a job and now he cleans the washers and dryers at the laundry mat. He told me he shops at CVS every day.
We parted ways and I thanked him again. He went into his apartment and I was headed to put the clothes in the dryer. Then I stopped, ran back to CVS and asked the cashier about this guy. They told me that he is a great guy. Broke, would help anyone he could and that he comes in every day to buy a few things to eat.
I pulled out my credit card and bought a gift certificate in his name. I asked the cashier if he would give it to him tomorrow. (I’m counting on his honesty too). He said of course and suggested that it was the nicest thing he’s seen in a long time. Clearly, he’s not living in Minnesota where nice is our middle name!!!
Please, let me say this – I don’t have a lot of money. I’m a working single mom, trying to keep it together and do the best for my kids. And, this isn’t about money. This was about helping … that’s all … helping.
As I sit here now and write this blog, I realize that there are so many people I will meet in my life time that I’ll only meet once. I will only have one opportunity to make a difference. That was yesterday. It’s a sad but important realization about life. Take advantage of it.
Have a wonderful day and, if you can, make a difference with a chance encounter.
theyearof50 