Sometimes the best treats aren’t in your cart. They’re standing right behind you.
I went to the grocery store today. We only needed a few items, so it was going to be a fairly fast stop. You know what they say about plans, right? My quick grocery run wasn’t so quick.
It turned out that a whole lot of people had the same idea at the same time. Even though I didn’t have a full cart, I was behind several others in line who did. So, I prepared to read the headlines on the magazines in the racks at the checkout, maybe scan the candy and gum options.
Then, I heard it. An older woman’s voice saying that she was going to pull up behind “this nice lady.” I looked around and realized that she meant me! There was a man in his late thirties or early forties with her. I quickly learned that he was her son and she was in town to visit him and his family. He gave me this look that said, “I’m so sorry for what you’re about to endure while waiting in this line.”
No need to worry, my dude. I’ve got this! Talking to strangers is kind of my thing. My husband laughs that I could talk to a corpse. He’s not wrong.
This sweet woman asked about my day. She told me about her 9-hour drive from Michigan. She laughed about the many roundabouts we have in town. We talked about the weather differences between Michigan and Missouri and how she was excited to ditch her heavy coat while she’s here.
I learned that she had trouble finding a hotel in town. She doesn’t like to stay at her son’s house when she visits because “it’s small, and he has 3 young kids.” That brought another grimace to the son’s face, and I smiled at him. Relax, no need to worry. I’ve got this.
She wondered if I’d ever been to Michigan. Nope, I haven’t. She thought I might enjoy the road trip because there are lots of places to stop along the way. She said that her son doesn’t enjoy the road trip to visit her. He has to stop a lot because of his kids. Apparently, they’re not great travelers.
It was finally time for me to turn my attention to the teenager at the register and check out. After my groceries were bagged, I made sure to tell my new friend to have a wonderful time on her visit and that I loved chatting with her. She wished me well, followed in the same breath by, “Hello there, Jonas!! (reading his nametag!) I just got into town from Michigan.” To his credit, that teenager didn’t miss a beat, smiling and saying he was glad she was here. I could tell that their conversation was going to last until she pulled her cart out of the aisle.
That’s how it’s done, friends. It’s not hard to be kind. It doesn’t even require extra time, just a willingness to engage. That woman from Michigan understood something simple: connection is always available if you’re brave enough to start it. She offered a friendly greeting and a smile. I simply followed her lead, with a teenager named Jonas holding his own.
Sweet moments like that are everywhere, tucked between errands and to-do lists. They’re warm, unexpected, and best enjoyed fresh. So go ahead. Take a bite whenever one is offered.
sharing the stairs 