Today as I was waiting in line at Kroger to purchase flowers for my nieces’ dance recital, the gal waiting behind me struck up a conversation. It always amazes me how different people are in this world. Some individuals won’t even make eye contact with a stranger, much less speak to them. Others, like myself, think nothing of chatting with someone they’ve never met (and probably will never see again.)
If someone had observed us, you might have thought we were acquaintances. Co-workers. Maybe even friends. We chatted about discounted flowers. She was buying fresh flowers for her mom’s grave, but it wasn’t a somber occasion, just a matter-of-fact statement of what she was planning to do. “I promised my mom I would NEVER bring her fake flowers… I just can’t disrespect her wishes.” We talked about the weather. Other grocery stores. All of a sudden, my vision moved from her face to her enlarged belly, peeking below the bouquet of flowers she held in her hands. “Oh my goodness – you’re pregnant!” I exclaimed, stating the obvious. A small-boned lady with gorgeously straightened blond hair (can you hear the underlying strains of envy in my description of her beauty? Ha!), it was funny that I had completely missed the undeniable shape of a baby belly facing me. She laughed at my surprise as I added, “Happy belated Mother’s Day!” (remembering the joy one of my pregnant friends received when a complete stranger said the same to her.)
All of a sudden, it was my turn to have my flowers arranged and wrapped. I stepped to the side and motioned for the mom-to-be to go ahead of me in line. “Are you sure?” she asked. “Of course! I have more flowers than you and lots of time. You go ahead!” We continued our conversation, talking about her pregnancy. I learned that she was due in September, she was having a boy, and her other son was born 11 years ago. “I was hoping for a girl, but…” Her weak smile couldn’t hide the completion of her sentence. Even though I have been blessed with a daughter, I could empathize with the sentiment she dared not speak.
“Awww, you know what that means… you’re going to be blessed with AMAZING daughters-in-law!” Her smile brightened a bit and I leaned towards her and whispered, “And just WAIT until you meet your granddaughters… you will be able to spoil them to death with no guilt whatsoever!!” She laughed at my premonition, her bright smile shining once again. As she gathered her finished flowers, she turned to me and said, “You know, I never thought about it that way, but you just might be right!” I smiled back and our exchange was done.
And I never even asked her name.
Today’s Random Act of Kindness is dedicated to Allison Wyatt, age 6, who “delighted in showing people how much she cared.” In a statement to People magazine, her parents said, “Allison made the world a better place… she would often surprise us with random acts of kindness.” Maybe the gal I met today will have a daughter-in-law or a granddaughter just like Allison. We could always use a little more brightness in this dark world.
I didn’t get a chance to take a photo of the mom-to-be, so here’s a photo of the flowers I bought instead, lol.
Be blessed dear friends and keep passing along the joy!
I love this.