Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Spirit

Today at Fiesta Foods, I was looking for a lane that wasn't too crowded. I noticed an older gentleman, all bundled up in his winter coat and what appeared to be coveralls coming toward me doing the same. I saw that the lane closest to him had no line, but the one next to me wasn't bad, so I began to pull into the lane closest to me. He stopped and told me that his lane was shorter and waited for me to go in front of him.

Me, with my cart of groceries, and him with his two items. I said thank you, but pointed out that he should go ahead as he had far less. He insisted that he was in no hurry and I should get in line. Rather than argue, I thanked him and pulled in. He came in behind me and began to help me unload my cart. I thanked him again for his help. While the checker rang up my items, he then chatted with me about the snow that is coming, and if I was ready.

I paid for my items and moved to my bag lane to begin bagging my groceries. He paid for his items and bagged his. Then he began helping me finish bagging my groceries and loaded them into my cart. Again, I thanked him profusely.

As we walked out of the store, I began to turn right to go to my car, and he to the left. He told me to have a Merry Christmas, and I told him to do the same. With all the people in stores now, pushing and shoving, vying to get ahead of everyone else, it was nice to meet up with someone full of Christmas spirit.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe it was Jesus!

We have Fiesta here, too- it's considered a ghetto store, lol.

Kelli said...

That is so wonderful, TJ!

j said...

TJ that is a wonderful story but do you know what saddens me? I think the whole thing would have scared me a bit. I have grown so accustomed to the lack of contact with strangers (because of fear I think) that I would have been intimidated by the friendliness of that man. I think it is wonderful that you had peace and were not afraid so that you could enjoy his gernerous spirit. And I hope that if that happens to me, that I will be open to kindness and not put off by it.

I hope that your week is really really good. Keep living your with heart wide open!

Jen

Art said...

Nice! Too bad we don't see more of that!

Casii said...

That is so cool! I really try to take time to acknowledge these moments in December when it seems to be every man for themselves in the stores.