Today, while Dad and I were out picking up a few groceries, we decided to stop at the Dollar Tree. Oh, how I love the Dollar Tree! Some people I know just shiver at the thought of going into a Dollar Tree. I don’t know why! They have some really great finds there! Just make sure your food items are not coming from China and you’ll be ok. Other things like make-up, facial care, and baby items I would be a little careful with as well. All in all, if a person HAD to (which some of us may someday) we could get pretty much everything we need to survive. But I digress. I always do that!

The store was pretty crowded as you can imagine. Most places will be this close to Christmas. We grabbed what we needed pretty quickly and headed to the checkout line. There was one young woman, probably in her early 30’s in front of us in line. She was having a hard time with her debit (or credit) card. It kept being declined and she couldn’t understand why. She ran it 3 or 4 times and still, declined. She didn’t have any cash on her. There was a woman behind us in line (probably in her 50’s) and she quickly asked how much the young woman’s tab was. It was a mere $4.00 and some change. She (the woman behind us) said, “I got it!” She pulled out a $5 and paid for the young woman. It was very nice, and although not very much money, the young woman insisted on a hug and thanked the generous woman for her help. It was heartwarming to see something like this in person.

It has me bothered though. It got me thinking… Those old rickety wheels of mine started turning. I wondered if I had had cash, would I have thought to help the young woman? I’d like to think I would BUT it never occurred to me while standing there like a dunce, if I had cash I would pay her tab. The thought never entered my mind. Does that make me a bad person? It sure made me feel like an asshole, but this isn’t about me.

We are all so wrapped up in our own lives and in a rush, especially this time of year. We need to slow down and be helpful and kind. Everyone is trying so hard to get things done, to be somewhere on time, or trying to take care of their families. We all have “stuff” to do but it won’t hurt us to slow down a little. It won’t kill us to be more helpful, more kind, and perhaps a bit more generous.

Have a wonderful week ahead, my friends. Enjoy family and food… If things get rough please refer to my last post and have a Merry Christmas!

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