Be Blessed (Lisa)

I heard his pleading voice first, Mom! Please? Can we have it? Please? I barely registered his words before he lunged into his argument for the big purchase. Excitedly, he went on, Look mom, it’s got a lot in it and you can put stuff on it and make a sandwich with it.

I had doubled back for a missed item, pushing my cart through the crowded aisle and subtly turned my head, curious only to see the object of his great desire. I expected to see some gimmicky sugar laden thing, glistening with sprinkles or gummy bears but instead what stood before me was a little boy no bigger than my grandson hugging a loaf of bread. Please mom! We haven’t had any in a long time!

In a quick glance, my heart took in a weary mom barely noticing his pleas, intently concentrating on a list in her one hand, holding a pencil in the other and an infant in a car seat taking up the very empty space in the shopping cart. Her hand, holding the pencil nub, was rubbing at her temple. She said nothing to quiet him but he gave up and gently tucked the loaf back on the shelf, patting at it longingly. I had seen them earlier though I hadn’t paid much attention, but I now realized they had not budged while I had moved on through several more aisles, quickly grabbing what I needed without a thought or calculation. She was clearly, slowly plotting out her stretch plan, prioritizing her list. This was a trying, hungry, tired family. Turning the corner to the next aisle I found a moment to collect myself as I filled up with tears. That hungry boy. The tired mom. Quiet baby in the cart.

How blessed I felt a few minutes later to tap her on the shoulder and whisper, From one mom to another, Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you! as I quietly pressed a little folded up money in her palm. Her look of surprise, followed by a soft smile and a whispered, tired, thank you! was just too much for me. I had to go a few aisles away to collect myself again. I am so blessed. I have so much. There is such need. God thank you for this moment, where I could make a small difference in a life. What a blessing for me!

Twenty minutes later we checked out with our loaded cart and I saw her once again bagging up her few items and I remembered our church’s free food pantry! I had forgotten my little info flyers in my car so I quickly grabbed a pen and slip of paper jotting down the address to share with this mom. By the time I looked up she was gone but I said a little prayer to find her and ran outside tracking her down in the parking lot. What a blessing to be able to personally invite her, sharing that, we all need a little help now and then.

That little family makes me want to put a loaf of bread or a pack or tortilla wraps in the pantry each week. Such a staple. That loaf of bread the little boy hugged with such delight was $1. One dollar.

I can’t stop thinking about it. The encounter has made me more observant of fellow shoppers, the ones crouched over lists and calculators, the ones who move slowly down the aisles plotting their stretch plans. No matter whether you belong to a church community or some organization to donate food or not, I hope you find a way to gift yourself with a giving moment of joy. What a Thanksgiving gift you will give to yourself!

Take what you need. Give what you can. BE BLESSED!