When I go to Meijer, I don't know why but I park in section D or close to it. I figure I will always remember where my car is because there are times I am in that place for a looong time. (And today I verified that the front of the store is much hotter than the rest of it. I swear I get to the check out and start sweating, and it's not just because I am handing over a lot of cash. Then I think "Wow, can I somehow predict a hot flash?" Ah, no old age ESP, the cashier said the front of the store it hotter!)
So I push my cart over the bumps to my car and I spot her.
She is maybe 65 and has a little cart with one bag and she is lost.
I put my groceries in my van and go 2 lanes over. She can't find her car. I ask her the color and which door she went in. Then I start looking for her car with her. I can tell she is a little panicked. 5 aisles over I see a car and ask her if it's a Legacy. She sees where it is parked and is embarrassed by her confusion. I wish her a Happy Easter and my heart breaks for her. Is this the first time she has been confused or is it the norm for her? Will she go home and tell someone how silly she felt or will she not mention it? It strikes me that she is someone's mom. It bothers me that all the other customers watched and did not take the time.
So I go back to section D and drive my $180. home. But I will not forget her any time soon. It took me less than 5 minutes to help her. Less than 5 minutes to calm her down. Less than 5 minutes to give her a little hope.
5 minutes can make such a difference in a day. Such a difference.
