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Sheila Burke's Column
Okay, so today I went to a couple stores to get a few last minute Christmas items. That two hours just reinforced the reasoning behind doing all my shopping online. What is WITH people? Have they lost their minds, their marbles, their common courtesy? I do believe they have!
Driving around the parking lot trying to find a parking space…I watched as the driver in front of me hurried through the crosswalk and buzzed right by two elderly ladies walking slowly across the walkway…in the freezing rain I might add. Gripping one another tightly so that they did not fall and break a hip or something. Watching that same driver, he then proceeded to NOT give the go head for a man in an electric wheel chair to also cross in front of him. I mean COME ON! Is it so important for people to get in or out of the store…that they would toss their good will towards men aside? Ughhh! Makes me ill.
Then as I’m coming up the aisle, there’s a car backing out of the over crowded lot. Before this woman could get out of the space….a driver in the opposite direction from me scurries like a little rat AROUND the woman backing out (almost hitting her)….to quickly claim that space. (I believe that driver thought I was gonna steal the spot or something). Lady driver and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. Each understanding that a space isn’t that important.
I’m telling you…in a season that is supposed to be filled with love and good will, there’s sure a lot of mean, nasty, hurried people out there that fail miserably to take advantage of the seconds given to them… to just be nice and kind to someone. I mean, for God’s sake, it just takes a split second to be nice! I wonder why those people just don’t stay home.
I paid for my things and used my 30% off coupon. I only saved a few bucks. The cashier gave me coupon back and said to hold onto it because I could use it anytime in the couple days. “Can I give it to someone else?”, I asked. “Why would you want to do that? You can use it again”, she replied. “But…can I give it away?”, I asked. “Well, yes. If you want“.
I looked around and saw a lady in the next checkout lane with a cart stuffed with lots of stuff! I walked over to her….”Would you like to use this?” She looked at the 30% off coupon and her eyes lit up. I thought she was going to cry. “Yes, thank you SO much!” I bet you she saved at least $50. Then…I felt better. I walked out of the store, holding the door for those running in from the rain….picked up a mitten a little girl dropped….plunked a handful of change into the red kettle…used Purell….(lol)…turned up the Christmas carols on the radio and rocked out on my way home. Hopefully I offset some cheer stolen by certain Grinch’s today.
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
~Mark Twain
