Sitting in a chair out of the way in the Eyewear Department at Costco, I waited for my husband to find new frames he liked. Although I can’t really see his face, I am able to take photos of the options he selected for both of us to look at and critique.
When another customer, an older woman, pushed her cart into the area, a Costco employee behind the counter asked her to please leave it off to the side as the aisles weren’t very large. The shopper jokingly asked me to watch her reusable grocery bags, folded nicely in the section of the cart where a young child would sit. I promised to protect them, taking down any potential threats.
As she browsed the display of frames near me, I knew what was coming. And then:
“What do you think of these?,” she asked. “Well, I’m not sure you really want my opinion. I’m legally blind.” As is often the case in these situations, she was thrown for a few seconds. “You still would be better than my husband!,” she offered as she laughed. “I feel bad for you,” she added. “Thank you. Would you like me to take your picture? I can see better then and you can also have a look,” I suggested. “Why didn’t I think of that?,” she asked.
I took her photo and we both agreed that the potential new frames suited her. She took them to the counter to start the ordering process.
I helped Mister Rain with his decision and as he went to check out, the woman was finishing up her purchase.
“Thank you for your help. Not only did you guard my bags, you helped me pick my glasses. Nothing impaired about you.”
I wanted to hug her but she was already on her way to do her other shopping. “That is very sweet. It was nice to meet you. Have a great day,” I called after her.
In a place where you can buy a giant vat of tomato sauce, I left with a huge amount of faith in the goodness of people not in my cart, but in my heart.
Sister Rain Note:
I have blurred the woman’s face to protect her privacy.
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