A Senior Moment

Have you had one recently?

This week I went to Trader Joe's twenty minutes before I had to pick up my daughters from school. I was at the finish line when I found myself behind an elderly couple at the check out counter.  I practiced my deep breathing techniques as I watched them trying to figure out the credit card machine, max out their daily limit, try to find cash . . .

My focus was really on the cashier who handled them with such grace, patience, and respect, as the line behind me was growing and groaning.

We smiled at each other. The first words she said, "I hope someone treats me with kindness when I get that old."

My response, "Well, we don't have to be that old to need it."  

Then, in a momentary mental lapse, I proceed to push my cart directly onto the moving Up escalator (rather than the nifty cart carrier next to it).  Before I knew it, I was yelling for help with six bags of groceries spilling onto me.  A kind employee swooped in, lifted my cart, my tumbling food, and me off the escalator . . . and handled me with respect and kindness.

Compassion ~ necessary at every age.  It's easy to give and a gift to receive.

I'm interested, how has compassion shown up in your life lately?

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