Thursday, March 18, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
2009 LASTING IMPRESSION
Dear Friends:
Over the past year, I witnessed many kind deeds and random acts. I participated in outreach projects that I know had a positive impact. I researched others that truly left me amazed.
I've listed some of those in my other 2009 wrap up blog called RANDOM ACTS of 2009.
Today's blog is about one individual who left a lasting impression. It is about one individual who truly captured the essence of what Random Acts and Paying it Forward is really all about. Her name is Brenda and she was the cashier in the "under 20 items" checkout line at a local Walmart on Christmas Eve.
Here's the story:
Walmart was jam packed on Christmas Eve--full of shoppers, like myself who had either procrastinated or thought of a few last minute items they simply could not do without. I was a procrastinator and a last minute shopper. I also was on a very limited budget. I had only $25 to spend.
I went through the food item isles as fast as I could and put as little as possible into the cart. It was a last minute decision for me to prepare the holiday meal only because my sons employer had given him a turkey. Now I was trying to get all the side dishes on a small amount of cash.
I crept to the isle with the shortest line somehow knowing what was in my cart would exceed the amount in my wallet. Instinctively I seperated the "must haves" from the "wanted" items figuring I would ask the clerk to subtotal at the end of the first group.
The line was long . . . As I waited a box of chocolates caught my eye. Not for me--but a friend was away on business and would not be able to see his mom for Christmas. I should get her the candy, I decided. I shifted a couple "must have" items to the wants and placed the small bosx of candy in their place.
It was finally my turn and I cringed as the clerk began to total up my items.
"I'm sorry," I said in advance--first to the check out clerk and then to the impatient shoppers waiting in line behind me.
"I know I've gone over," I explained. "If you would just subtotal what's on the counter then I'll know if I can get whats in the cart . . . "
The cashier obliged. The items on the counter came to $24.90--leaving me only a dime to spare.
There was no way I could get the items in the cart. I apologized again and told the cashier I would not be able to get the extra items.
"I'll take them," she said.
I began handing her the items. She proceeded to ring them up.
"No, no." I corrected. "I said I would not be able to get these items."
"I know," she rsponded. "I've got them."
"You don't understand . . . " I insisted.
"Yes, I do," she back-fired while pulling her own credit card out from her apron pocket.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Its a gift," she responded with a gigantic smile. "Merry Christmas."
I started to say I'd pay her back but she shook her head and said, "Its a gift."
I fought back a tear. As I stood with my cart waiting for a friend, I watched this same cashier
give "gifts" to atleast three other customers. Suddenly the act of giving, Christmas and paying it forward took on a whole new light.
May we all be more giving over the next year--at Christmas and always.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Over the past year, I witnessed many kind deeds and random acts. I participated in outreach projects that I know had a positive impact. I researched others that truly left me amazed.
I've listed some of those in my other 2009 wrap up blog called RANDOM ACTS of 2009.
Today's blog is about one individual who left a lasting impression. It is about one individual who truly captured the essence of what Random Acts and Paying it Forward is really all about. Her name is Brenda and she was the cashier in the "under 20 items" checkout line at a local Walmart on Christmas Eve.
Here's the story:
Walmart was jam packed on Christmas Eve--full of shoppers, like myself who had either procrastinated or thought of a few last minute items they simply could not do without. I was a procrastinator and a last minute shopper. I also was on a very limited budget. I had only $25 to spend.
I went through the food item isles as fast as I could and put as little as possible into the cart. It was a last minute decision for me to prepare the holiday meal only because my sons employer had given him a turkey. Now I was trying to get all the side dishes on a small amount of cash.
I crept to the isle with the shortest line somehow knowing what was in my cart would exceed the amount in my wallet. Instinctively I seperated the "must haves" from the "wanted" items figuring I would ask the clerk to subtotal at the end of the first group.
The line was long . . . As I waited a box of chocolates caught my eye. Not for me--but a friend was away on business and would not be able to see his mom for Christmas. I should get her the candy, I decided. I shifted a couple "must have" items to the wants and placed the small bosx of candy in their place.
It was finally my turn and I cringed as the clerk began to total up my items.
"I'm sorry," I said in advance--first to the check out clerk and then to the impatient shoppers waiting in line behind me.
"I know I've gone over," I explained. "If you would just subtotal what's on the counter then I'll know if I can get whats in the cart . . . "
The cashier obliged. The items on the counter came to $24.90--leaving me only a dime to spare.
There was no way I could get the items in the cart. I apologized again and told the cashier I would not be able to get the extra items.
"I'll take them," she said.
I began handing her the items. She proceeded to ring them up.
"No, no." I corrected. "I said I would not be able to get these items."
"I know," she rsponded. "I've got them."
"You don't understand . . . " I insisted.
"Yes, I do," she back-fired while pulling her own credit card out from her apron pocket.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Its a gift," she responded with a gigantic smile. "Merry Christmas."
I started to say I'd pay her back but she shook her head and said, "Its a gift."
I fought back a tear. As I stood with my cart waiting for a friend, I watched this same cashier
give "gifts" to atleast three other customers. Suddenly the act of giving, Christmas and paying it forward took on a whole new light.
May we all be more giving over the next year--at Christmas and always.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
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