It was at the end of a long day of running errands that we stopped at the grocery store to make our food purchases.
I was tired and in a good deal of pain but we finally managed to gather the things we needed into the cart.
Check out time! This particular store has gone to a mostly self-checkout system, with the exception of just two or three cashiers running cash registers.
We got in line as the person in front of us was paying for their purchases and we began unloading our items onto the conveyor belt.
The cashier said, while making eye contact with us, "Hello. How are you folks today?" She was a young woman, probably in her late 30s, and I thought how kind she was.
I replied that we were doing good and asked how she was. When she commented that it had been a long day, I asked her what her shift hours were and she told me. I checked my watch and said, "Well, you only have about another hour and you will be finished for today."
She began her story of a family tragedy that had taken her away from her home at midnight the night before. Her shift at the grocery store began at 6:00 A.M. and she had come straight to work without returning to her home after being called out at midnight.
The tragedy was so sad that I won't share it here in detail. But let it suffice to say that by the time she had finished sharing her story with me, I was in tears.
As a result of this tragedy, with one parent now dead and the other in prison, it has left three young children without their parents. There are two children under the age of two and the six year old has autism. This young woman and her husband have now taken on the responsibility of raising these three children.
What do you say to an employee in a public facility when there's a conveyor belt between you? What do you say to someone who is hurting this deeply? She wasn't in tears, but the grief was written all over her face. Somehow, saying "thank you and have a nice day" just didn't seem appropriate. And as I stated earlier, I was in tears by the time she'd finished sharing her grief with me.
I paid for the groceries and when she handed me the receipt and change, I looked directly into her eyes and said, " I will pray." Just those three little words. She once again made eye contact with me and said, "Thank you for your kindness. I truly do appreciate it."
When we got home, we realized that this woman's family tragedy had made the news and my heart went out to the family even more.
The lesson here about kindness (my One Word for 2024) was that I don't have to have all of the answers. Sometimes (probably more often than not) kindness is demonstrated through our listening rather than words.
Oh Dianna, that is indeed tragic. I have tears in my eyes just reading it, I can't imagine hearing it right from her. And the fact that she worked after going through that night. I will also pray for her.
ReplyDeleteThank you for praying for her and her family. It's just been such an ordeal for all of them. I think especially of those three children.
DeletePraying too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi.
DeleteThat's so sad. We just never know what might be going on in the lives of those we come across. I get frustrated in those situations because I'm not sure what to say, especially when time is limited because the person is at work, other customers might be waiting, etc. I trust your kindness, attention, and promise to pray ministered to this lady's heart.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true, Barbara. We just never know.
DeleteVery true quote! People need kindness, not an opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe tragic story of that young woman is heart-breaking. God will help; she, and all of us should pray to God asking to help this family.
Dear Duta, thank you so much for your kind words and your willingness to pray.
DeleteBeautiful, my friend. And I join you in prayer for that young woman.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, thank you ever so much for praying for this young woman and her family. I was amazed that she was able to come to work with all that she had dealt with during the night. xx
DeleteYes, thank you for being in the moment and taking stock and giving her what you could in the kindness of listening and caring and praying. What a tragedy for this family. May God save and comfort.
ReplyDeleteEllen, my friend, thank you for your kind words. It truly is a tragedy for the family.
DeleteOur old pastor, in heaven now since 2001, had a daily radio show. He'd always sign off with "Be nice to everybody, because everybody is having a tough time." The other night at a birthday dinner, my son-in-law, who is also a pastor, told our server that we were about to pray and he asked her, do you have a prayer request? She burst into tears. She said it had been a tough week. She was embarrassed to be crying in front of fourteen people who were strangers to her, but I gave her a napkin to use as a tissue and said, you are among friends. It's amazing how much hurt people carry around inside and rarely do they get to share it. I'm glad your cashier shared her grief with you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteJenny! Welcome! I so appreciate you sharing about the server at the place you and family members were dining and how God was able to minister to her through your son-in-law's gracious way of asking if she had a prayer need. Such a blessing. xx Now, I need to come visit you! :)
DeleteSuch a sad tragic story. Sometimes praying is all we can do. I too have said a prayer for this family.
ReplyDeleteI know, Karen. And thank you so much for praying for this family.
DeleteVery sad to hear about this family’s tragedy. I’m glad you were able to listen and care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Lauren. I just found out last evening that her funeral was on the 26th.
DeleteSuch a tragedy and God had you at the right place and time. Kindness can take only a moment but has lasting effect. I'm praying for that family as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, my friend, for your kind words. xx
DeleteThat is a hard story but a wonderful one. You were in the right place at the right time.
ReplyDeleteI always make a point of noticing the name tag of people working and helping me and calling them by their name. Their faces light up because they are recognized as human.
Thank you, Willow. Yes, I know what you mean about their faces lighting up because they are recognized as human. Unfortunately, many of the places of business around here do not have their employees wearing name tags.
Deletewhat a heartbreaking story. You never know what someone is going through and sometimes we are placed at the right time to give someone an ear or an encouraging word.
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you for stopping by. It truly is heartbreaking...every bit of it. xx
DeleteWe need more kindness in today’s world ..l thank you for sharing this and prayers for those in need is the ultimate act of kindness.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Tina. I agree...prayer is such a privilege and the kindest thing we can do for folks.
DeleteThere is so much suffering in our world. And yes, kindness is so needed.
ReplyDeleteI agree...so much suffering and so many opportunities for kindness to be extended. May He find us living in the moment so that we don't miss those opportunities. xx
DeleteOh my! What a tragedy for those kids. And what heroism that your sweet grocery clerk is taking them in. I'm glad you were there to show her kindness, Dianna! And I know that you WILL pray for her because that's who you are. I hope you'll see her again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. I actually watched for days for the obituary of this woman because my intent had been to go to the funeral home and check on the cashier to see how she was doing. The obiturary didn't show up and I missed a day or two of looking when a friend told me that it was on the website of the local funeral home. When I checked, the service and viewing had been the day before.
DeleteYou are right...I do pray for this family...every. day.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s very moving. How often do we say “how are you?” And just expect “fine”. So we can move on with our day. Really listening takes interest and time which you gave to that young lady when she needed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words.
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