Doing the Right Thing

The other day I did the grocery shopping. My son came along and helped, generally not something he has a choice in. By the time we were done I was about worn out and my patience was wearing thin. It had been a long day and my sweet son had spent a fair amount of time warming one of the benches in the pharmacy area.


I was placing my cart in the cart return, something I’m rather obsessive about. I start to walk away but turn back to see a little old man putting his groceries in his car. He’s bent over to the point that his upper torso is parallel to the ground. I went over and grabbed a heavy box, not knowing my 13 year old was behind me. He took the box from me and asked the man where he would like it put, placing it there for him. We continued doing this until the remainder of his groceries was safely stowed away in his trunk. Once we were done the man turned his face up to my son and I, he smiled and said, “Thank you both so much.” I squeezed his hand and said, “Happy Easter”. As I went back to my car, the woman who had been watching all of this from her car in front of his wouldn’t meet my eyes. I did see her dab at the corners of hers though.

I was so glad that I got to see that man’s smile, and that my son was there to be a part of that small act of humanity. It’s so important that we don’t forget to help each other, to help those bearing the weight of a burden to stand tall, even if it be in some small way. Happy Easter!