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From: "HeroicStories" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 2:00 PM
Subject: HeroicStories #766: Waiting For Someone Special
Reaching more than 42,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #766: 1 May 2009 www.HeroicStories.com
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Waiting For Someone Special Story Editor:
by David McLaughlan Joyce Schowalter
Ayrshire, U.K
We all like to get the shortest queue in the supermarket. After all,
nobody likes waiting.
The checkout I headed for had one old man beside it. He had a basket
with two items in it. Great! I should be through in seconds.
I heard the checkout operator ask the old man how his wife was. I
gathered she had been, or still was, in hospital.
"Ohhhh," there was a tremor in his voice and a little shake to his
shoulders. "It's worse than they thought." More, quiet conversation
followed, then I heard him say, "And now I can't find the talc she asked
for. It's her favourite kind." Now there was no doubt -- this smartly
dressed, older gent was shaking with sobs.
I doubted if he had ever shopped much before. He looked of the
generation that concentrated on providing the money so wives could such
things. And now, here he was, in this huge barn of a supermarket, on a
mission to buy, of all things, talcum powder. And not just any talcum
powder, but her special kind.
I had an awful image of a loving husband charged with doing one last
kindness for his sweetheart, and not being able to, letting her down at
the very end!
The checkout operator looked around, then scurried out from behind her
till. She apologised to me, took the old fellow by the arm and walked
him through the toiletries section.
I could have gone to another checkout, but it had become important to me
to know what happened next. Well, she found that special talc, cashed up
his purchases and sent him off with a prayer for his wife.
Then she turned to me. "Oh, I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. If
they knew I had done that I would get fired. They tell us never to leave
the till unattended, but... I'm so sorry."
I insisted I didn't mind, adding, "It was an honour." She looked
puzzled, but pleased. I really was honoured simply to be a part of this,
even if my part was only to stand and wait.
On the way out I asked for her supervisor. I told the supervisor how
impressed I had been with the woman and that she deserved a commendation
or a pay rise. I saw her recently while checking out, and she was still
smiling.
Her job description should have prevented her from helping but she
stepped beyond that. In doing so she took a desperate situation and
turned it into one more act of love between two weary travellers making
their way to the end of this life.
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"Finding the Courage to Fly" (#765) related the kindness many people
showed a young mother flying with a baby and toddler.
Terry in Texas responds: "#765 brought a very large lump to my throat
and tears to my eyes. Not only did a number of wonderful people carry
out your mission to change the world one act of kindness at a time, but
also Annie had the faith that one or two people might assist her. In her
situation, the second part was a giant leap of faith. AND, the response
to her faith was far beyond what anyone could have predicted. I am in
awe of all these wonderful people."
Louise from Virginia was reminded of an incident from her own life.
"Been there, done that with a toddler -- on a Greyhound bus NYC to DC.
Once. It was so stressful that I rented a car from then on. Yes, TSA can
be helpful and courteous. The airline personnel are trained to look for
young mothers. But all too often passengers are wrapped in their own
worlds. I'm glad that wasn't the case for Ms Stephanski. Incidentally,
that pass her husband the airline gave her husband is mandatory for
people taking an unaccompanied minor to or from the airport. Such
parents (or guardians) must take the child to the gate.
Linda in New Jersey adds: "When I had young children and flew with them
all over the country without my husband people always asked me "How do
you do it?" My answer 'Through the kindness of strangers.' A bus driver
stopping his bus next to my car in the airport parking lot and loading
my "stuff" into the car for me, people carrying my children and "stuff."
Always amazing. As a result I always help people who are traveling with
children."
Thanks for all your kind comments on our last "Delightfully Heroic News
Story", which featured a hospital CEO asking employees to help everyone
keep their jobs despite difficult economic times. (It's here:
http://tinyurl.com/c7gh9l )
Nancy in California responded: "I just read this and had tears in my
eyes for all the happy people who will not lose their jobs. I volunteer
at a local hospital and they are just about to send out layoff notices
to many folks. I am going to send this story to the new CEO, plus many
others there. Thanks. It may not be possible here but I will never know
unless I try!"
Joyce Schowalter, Publisher
Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place
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