11:30 AM. I had thirty minutes until I was too late. So I’m racing to Sweetbay supermarket in order to get the paper towels my wife needs for VBS. Why an urgency for towels? Chain reaction vomiting? Dunno, but I need them and back by noon, if I hurry I can make it. I swing into the parking lot and hop out, 11:33, good to go!
As I enter the supermarket I see a white-haired couple going down an aisle. Cute, I thought, but really would have to process the image later, I’m in a hurry to get the towels. Quick price compare (thank you whoever does price per sheet math!) and head over to the registers. Aisle #1? No, mom with three kids and seven carts, aisle #2 looks empty, so I hurry up and…right behind the white-hairs. 11:36, I’m screwed.
They only get a few things, so I may be in luck, until they ask for the total. Four times. Then reach for their cash. Then ask again. Then count out the bills. All 24 of them. So I’m forced to wait. I don’t want to, I’m in a hurry, but the other lane is WAY too long with kids screaming about peanut butter candy, so I wait. And I notice something. They’re smiling. This incredibly old man and his wife are smiling. At each other, the cashier, snot-nosed brats in the next lane, even at me. Of course I smile back, can’t be rude and all, but then those images start to process. When I first walked in the store, he was pushing the cart and she had one hand on the cart. On his hand. Holding it. These two little old people were still very much in love, with life, with living, with each other. And they weren’t in a hurry.
After I pay and race outside I jump in the truck and start ‘er up. Ready to go and hurry on down the road. That stain at VBS must really be setting by now, and then I see the couple come back out to their car. I lingered a moment to see if they needed help loading, and I see them laughing with each other. As I’m about to drive away, I have to stop and say something, anything. What I don’t know, guess I’ll wing it.
Me: Ma’am, I have to say thank you
Old Lady: Excuse me?
Me: I saw you and your husband in the store earlier and thank you. Thank you for still being in love, thank you for holding hands, thank you for being an example to younger folks like us. My wife and I have eight years this December and you set a good example for us.
Old Lady: We’ve been married 67 years son. And don’t you worry, you and your wife will make it, you’ll see.
The husband laughed and smiled, and I said goodbye. They were the same age at marriage as my wife and me. As I drive (a little slower mind you) over to VBS I realize that maybe it isn’t about the hurry. Or about making it on time. Maybe it’s just about making it. And we will, you can bet on it.
Cheers!
2 comments:
Bob,
Now that you're putting your thoughts...numerous as they are...down on virtual paper does that mean that there will be less of the, random yet totally connected in some strange trailing way that only you fully understand, weird things you usually say coming out of your mouth since you've had a chance to expel them?
Totally got the lizard on the head thing tonight...thank you boys for wanting to watch Madagascar!
I have thoroughly checked my spelling and grammar so that no errors may be found...but I'm sure you'll find something as that is the first thing you would always check because you're just as bad as Greg.
Liz P.
Awwwwww! Maybe I'll watch the retirees in the commisary in a new light while they are whispering about my "sweet" baby and his "lovely" behaviour.
Or, atleast I'll try. :D
Post a Comment