"Felt Compelled"

Some times you just need the right incident to shock you into action. or at least into thought.  Today I had one such moment. and I wish to share it.

I was at the drug store picking up a few things, and when I went to the til to pay it was way backed up.  They also have an exit out the back which I know from experience is rarely as busy, so that's where I headed.  To my surprise there were a few people in line there as well.  When the person in front of me got her turn I could not help but hear the start of her conversation with the teller.  She had a prescription in her hand, and the teller asked her if she had already paid for that.  She answered in the affirmative.

As I listend to this interaction the customers back was turned to me, and yet somehow I had the sense that perhaps she was somehow handicapped,  Down's Syndrome maybe?  It could be that the patience the teller was showing her as she searched through her purse for a payment method, also twigged me to the idea that the woman was somehow special.  She courteously ensured her there was no rush, and while she waited patiently, she packed up the woman's purchase, and also put her prescription in the same bag.

Anyway, I wasn't really paying much attention anymore as the woman inserted her payment card into the machine.  But then I did hear her say something to the teller, I just never caught the words.  All I saw was the teller taking the prescription out of the bag and handing it to her.  At first I thought that she wanted to put her drugs separately in her purse at the same time as she was putting her payment card away.  It wasn't until I heard the teller say, "I'll put this back for you", that I realized that something else was going on.  I want sure, but I considered that maybe she didn't have enough money to pay for her stuff.

As  the teller put her package back behind her for a later return to the shelf, the customer turned and walked away.  At this point I had still not seen her face so I wasn't even aware of any regret or disappointment she may have exhibited, but I sensed that something clearly didn't go right.  As she walked away I asked the teller what happened, and she reluctantly told me that the customers card wouldn't work, a clear euphemism for she didn't have enough money.

At the risk of embarrassing her I had to do something, and so I called out to her.  I had to chase her a bit, but when she turned it was clear that my diagnosis was probably correct.  Perhaps not that she had Down's Syndrome specifically, but her innocent reaction to me calling out to her, clearly indicated some kind of developmental issue.  I would guess that she was perhaps 30 years old.  Also her response to my offer to pay was without any embarrassment, and without any effusive gratitude.  Just a plain thank you.

You want to know what this woman had to hand back because she didn't have the money to pay for it?  I bet you do! It wasn't candy, it wasn't a magazine, it wasn't make-up! Nor was it a pair of sunglasses or a greeting card!   It was something I have never bought in my life, not even for my wife not that I would be ashamed to, but I can't possibly imagine the idea that if she needed them I could not afford to go out and buy Roo a package of maxi-pads!!!!!  They cost all of seven effin dollars!!!

Can you imagine?  Even as a man, I think I can.

Anyway, that's my story.  I'm sure I didn't do a good enough job of describing the emotion I felt throughout this little incident, but suffice it to say that it was good for my humility.

I need to contribute more to the world.

Oh and by the way, the teller embarrassed me a bit with her effusive thank you, not that I wanted it. I think she was just grateful that she didn't have to send the woman away without her goods.  Personally I considered the whole deal a gift to me.  To be in the right place at the right time, to spend my money on something useful.  I know my daddy would have been proud of me!

And whether today's episode has motivated me to do some more writing only time will tell.  Meanwhile, please know that I love you all, and that I continue to do the best I can with what I got today.

"Life is a long lesson in humility."---James M Barrie

Love
Peter