A One Minute Lesson

Earlier this week a quick look at the calendar invoked a panic attack.  It is mid-December, Christmas is less than two weeks away and I still have so much to do.  Work has been so busy and has consumed not only my days but several hours of my recent nights that I find myself behind on my Christmas preparations.  So I decided to take one of my remaining three vacation days yesterday in the hopes of getting much of my holiday shopping done. Not really what I consider a vacation day, but necessary. 

 With list in hand I left my house by ten o’clock.  I made a quick stop at my parent’s house to borrow Mom’s “30% off” Kohls coupon.  My first three stops of the day, Kohls, Michaels and Modells were successful.  Next on the list was BJ’s I needed to pick up a few things for the week.  While I was there I also picked up a fresh cut pine decorated wreath and a few poinsettias. I paid for the items and proceeded to the exit.

  If you have ever shopped in BJ’s you know that you must produce you receipt at the exit so that the clerk can verify that the contents of your cart matches the items on the receipt.  The process usually moves quickly.  For the most part people are prepared for this ritual.  However, yesterday the customer in front of me at the exit was not.

  Standing in front of me was a short elderly gentleman.  As he approached the clerk she asked him for his receipt.  He checked one pocket, then the next and next, then back to the first and second.   Finally he found it. He struggled to wrap his fingers around the strip of paper.  The clerk sighed and rolled her eyes.  I too found myself getting annoyed.  I still had to Walmart, Target and Home Goods on my list of stores to still visit.  I was hoping that I would be home early enough to beat the setting sun and go out for a meditative walk.  “Come on!” I said to myself.

  And as quickly as that thought crossed my mind I slapped myself back into reality.  How could I be so thoughtless and self-centered?  Does it really matter that I will get to Walmart a minute or two later than I thought? This man could have easily been one of my family members.  Would I want them to be treated as such? 

  The clerk checked the receipt and handed it back to the gentleman.  It took him a few moments to put the slip back into his pocket. He proceeded to push his cart out of the store.  I stopped to watch him.  He walked slowly and was impeded by a limp.  For all I know this shopping trip took so much of his energy. One day if I am fortunate to live a long life my body too will start to betray me.  I will not be able to move at the same rate of speed or with the same steady footedness and strength as I do today.

 Like each of us this man has a story of his own. He may be someone’s husband, father or grandfather, a man that his family adores. He may have spent years of his life working as a laborer, a businessman, or a fireman. He may have been a community leader or a volunteer. My thoughts about his life are conjecture, but one thing I know for sure is he lived much of his life in a world that is very different from the one we live in today.

    He lived in a time of patience.  Meals were not heated in a few minutes in the microwave; they were slowly cooked with farm fresh ingredients. Letters were hand written and sent via the Postal Service. They took days to arrive. Now messages are quickly typed (many with one letter abbreviations for full words) and they are delivered to electronic mail boxes in just moments.  Families sat together daily and shared meals and conversation.  A sense of community was commonplace.  Town parades and celebrations were an event.  During the holiday season so many people looked forward to shopping in Main Street’s family owned business. It was the only place to shop, not the mega malls of today.

  All of those years ago Christmas was about being thankful for the food on the table, the roof over your head and the loved ones that you shared it with.  It was about abundance of the heart not of possessions.  How have we lost focus on what is truly important?  Why do we stress about making sure that the newest game system or I Pad is under the tree? 

  Ashamed and remorseful for my initial reaction I loaded my purchases into the car and headed to Walmart.  I love how life gives you second chances.  As I rounded the corner and entered the isle in Walmart that contained baking supplies I saw a middle aged woman with her cart.  In her cart was a cane.  As I passed her she inadvertently pushed her cart into the free standing display of pumpkin pie kits.  Several fell to the floor.  Realizing that the task of restacking these items may be a challenge for her I backed up my cart and returned to that spot.  She was attempting to bend down.  I started picking up the boxes.  I said, “I’ve got this Ma’am.”   She thanked me and when I finished I continued with my shopping.  Lending this helping hand took no more than forty seconds, but lightened her load by tons.

  And sometimes life gives you third chances.  After Walmart I shopped in Target and as I was walking towards Home Goods I passed the Dollar Store.  I noticed an older woman with a cart standing inside of the store at the exit door.  I was not planning on going into the store, but I stopped and opened the door for her to exit.  As I did she smiled and said, “Thank you!  I did not know how I was going to open that heavy door.”

 Truth be told, everyday there are many opportunities to share a smile, show kindness or lend a helping hand to one another.  The problem is we rush through our days with blinders on.  I am so very grateful for my one minute lesson at BJ’s.  It reminded me of the true spirit of Christmas.  We are to embrace the feeling of this season. It is to carry throughout the year. Keep in your mind and close to heart these words…….peace on earth and goodwill toward all.