Life Touching Surprise

By DJ Note

It wasn’t what one might term an enormous gesture of generosity—nothing that would make the front page of the local newspaper, or be long remembered by anyone who looked on. And yet, I stood and watched with wonder during those few short moments as my heart was buoyed once again.

As I tallied up newly purchased treasures, small talk about the upcoming holiday volleyed back and forth between the customer and myself across the counter. “Oh, I love these,” I remarked. “They’re so pretty. Looks like you got the last one.” I placed the tiny treasure, along with her other purchases, carefully into a bag.

The customer displayed her proud conquest with a nod. “I saw them last week when I was in, but didn’t purchase one then. I was afraid there wouldn’t be any left.”

In addition to her other purchases was a small lapel pin of sterling silver in the form of an angel holding a small glimmering stone center. As I placed it in the bag, a woman standing in line behind my customer, wearing what appeared to be older second-hand clothing and holding a single fifteen-cent item, remarked softly, “Oh, that is so pretty. I saw those the last time I was here. I’m going to get one sometime.”

My customer simply smiled over her shoulder and resumed her position as I finished her transaction. I glanced at the lengthening line behind her. A young man holding a large reference book anxiously shifted his weight. I imagined him containing his patience as he counted to ten. The middle-aged neatly dressed office-type woman behind him offered half-a-smile as our eyes met, as if to say, will you get on with it? A hungry child began to fuss as his young mother who tenderly shushed at his impatience at having to wait for a snack. I accelerated my thank yous, and looked on with a smile at the woman in the tattered clothing.

Suddenly, the exiting customer with bag in tow, stopped in her tracks, turned, and reached into her bag of treasures pulling from it the silver angel with its shiny rhinestone. “Here.” It was all she said as she offered a beaming smile and the silver lapel pin to the woman waiting behind her.

“Oh! Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s yours.”

The woman stood frozen in grateful surprise.

I gazed down the length of my waiting line to see impatient frowns uplift into tooth-filled grins of approval.

“Thank you. Thanks so much.”

Then the woman with her bag of goods quietly turned and walked away.
For one quiet moment the busyness of the day faded. The hustle and bustle of our self-consumed, task-filled lives stilled, it appeared everyone was caught up in the simple grandeur of this one small gesture that brought life back into our hearts. All too often the routines that crunch what little spare time we seem to have hurry us by what might be a perfect occasion to show a kindness to another, to encourage a child, or assist the aging. How many missed opportunities come and go right before our very eyes because we are too busy to notice?
One gave and one received. Just a small gift, but from a large heart hoping to fill another’s desire.

Quietly, I reflected on the simple testimony of selflessness that had played out before all who were present. The mood seemed lighter. I smiled and greeted the next customer in line. I felt warm all over. I think we all did.

DJ Note writes from the Rogue Valley.