The Cashier

Many grandparents who seem to be enjoying their time with their grandchild. Some who have moved many miles to be with family. One woman from Buffalo who waited a couple of steps for her family to walk ahead; “It is nice to be with family but I really miss my friends and routines at home.” Others have their day during the week when they watch their grandchild and it seems to bring them much joy. One woman whisked her granddaughter past me saying “we can’t forget the chocolate that is the most important part!” An exuberant child grasping to the inside of the cart. Some kids approach eager to get a sticker. “I can’t wait to put it in my sticker box!” Naturally I needed to give her another sticker because you can’t put a sticker in a box if you have already taken off the back. There are those kids not used to being acknowledged or who just have other interests at the time of coming to my register. They look at me no differently than a squirrel who might give me a glance as they bur...

Gentleman in dreadlocks with a purposeful gait. I recognize him as a Instacart regular who I never had on my line or talked with. Understanding him as a hard worker who has little time for small talk, we start dialoguing on his knowledge of healthy food choice, his enjoyment in baking and his work ethic. He also contributed the need to keeping a high-strong, positive energy inside him and keeping good people around him. Now, whenever he passes my station he is sure to call my name to say hello. I am wondering if these hard working Instacart folks who have little to no time for fluff have a more intensity for life knowing that each day’s hurdles are constant. Maybe more conscious knowledge of our own mortality will bring this intensity which we have seemed to have lost. Remember the limited time we are here on Earth

Dan with a veteran’s hat comes focused-serious face-very red blemished. I ask him if there is anything from his military experience that brings him joy. “There is no differences. You are looking out for the man beside you. You don’t care the color of their skin or what political party they are with or the religion they follow. I see that now. I see everyone as one. That is what brings me joy. I am a lawyer who is older. The younger lawyers are all pitted against each other. They don’t get it. They care more about who is getting ahead faster.” At this point I see the man behind him in line take off his fashionable shades and lean into the conversation. As Dan leaves he says “That is how my banker’s group is. Not really cut throat but a total stress situation that never seems enough.” I ask him how his wife is. “She too has a business stressed life, maybe even more than me.” At this point he tells me he is leaving his work because it is too much and he is not sure what ...

Michelle works for Instacart shopping for other people.  She clearly takes pride in her dress and her make-up.  I commented on her glow.  She, like many others, seems surprised that someone would be interested in their life.  Her demeanor quickly softens as she tells me she surrounds herself with good people but her favorite is her best friend of 40 years who she can tell anything to.  “I can be real with her.  No fluff.  I don’t have to worry about a show with her…I can be myself.” As she walks away it seems to me that now she has a little spring in her step.  Good for people to know that they are not alone.  Another person I hope to cross paths with. There are times when Life seems dark, But the Light is Always there

Two men approach.  One goes right to the bags as the other starts loading the food on the conveyor.  This man has smiling eyes, wide rimmed glasses- a bit smeared and a chunky build. I ask him who taught him to be happy.  He said his life was not always kind.  He had suffered three strokes and he is happy to have survived and grateful everyday to be alive.  I question him if these events that happened years ago can still motivate him to have a good attitude.   “Well, I read.  I read about scripture.  I really think you would like it.”  We talk a little more as his friend said “I thought saying hello was a little strange but I am glad that we stayed to chat." Kind, good souls who seemed sluggish until they lit with a seed of light.  Hopefully that will germinate… This event reminded me of Tony, a sound engineer who uses vibrations and music to help patients in hospitals. He invited me to one of his workshops.  The virtual meeting inc...

John a well fit gentleman in his 30’s commenting on me being lean.  “You must watch what you eat.”  I do more than that, I tell him.   We discuss our bodies as energy and therefore require a lifestyle that is light not dense.  We agree that to stay light goes beyond the physical; we also need to surround ourselves with people that don’t bring us down; kind, compassionate people.  He tells me as an accountant, his colleagues sit all day from January till April and their stomachs grow.  He is trying to stay away from that lifestyle. Makes me think of a man staying above mediocrity, wanting to do better, wanting to be a better person.  He left our conversation with his hand over his heart and wishing that we meet again.

A shorter stout woman with smiling eyes with a young lady in tow. “I am tired. I have been in this country for 37 years. I come from Brazil. It is hard there, a lot harder than here. Now my daughter is here. We are lucky.” One of the many people who has such pride in their children and are relieved to know that their life will be much easier because of the hard work they put in.

As daughter sits comfortably in the cart, father pushes constantly reminding her to be careful and to keep her hands inside the cart…a bit of tension.   “You know I am a stay-at-home father.  If I let her out of this she would demolish the store.”   As I look at his beautiful baby girl with those chubby little fingers and that unblemished skin. All I could think of was how lucky he is to have these selfish moments alone with her. He turns to me and says “You know you are right” as he introduces himself and thanks me for this opportunity.  We wish each other well with introductions and a fist pump.  Clearly a warm, kind man doing his best. Those smudged crooked glasses seemed to straighten and clear as they walk away.  Another soul I hope to cross paths with.

An exquisitely dressed short, full sized woman with eyes polished as an egyptian tells me it is hard.  She worries about her daughters who are 8 and 10. "What will I do when when they turn teenagers."  She shows me a picture of her daughters who I comment have her beautiful warmth coming from her eyes.  “This one is taller and everyone says she looks like her father.”  Maybe the hard part is being away from her daughters as she is shopping at 7 am for other people.  This woman can teach me much about strength, attitude and perseverance. What a beautiful human being ensuring life will be easier for her girls.

A clean shaven elderly gentleman tells me “I just came back from swimming. I swim every morning.  I get home, make lunch and I practice my Spanish…it helps; learning something new.  But it is hard around 4 or 5 o'clock.  That is when I can get lonely.  That's when I go to my girlfriends.  My wife died 12 years ago.  I miss her, she was a wonderful woman.”  One of many who share stories of difficulties. Each has their own way of getting through the day. This gentleman is one of many people who tells me "life is a little bit easier knowing someone else has it much worse." The Light within will shine when the darkness is released.  

Elderly couple coming from Raquette Lake so close to Long Lake our previous home.  They were joyful to be at grocery shopping at this store which they miss desperately.  They told me about growing up in upstate New York, Rochester and how her mother used to go to the chain's first grocery store.  They knew the owner; "how wonderful that the store has grown. We just wish they had a store in South Carolina where we spend the winters." As she was leaving she asked for a hug.  I have received more hugs from people I believe who want to make a connection to this wonderful existence. Loving our Light and the shadows within.  

Taylor wears a black t-shirt with a huge emblem of superman and tells me his energy comes from washing all people out of his life and eating healthy with no alcohol or drugs.  He tells me he has had difficulties but now wants to use those same energies for good. “There is a fine line…could you imagine superman as evil? We all have a choice.” He tells me he sleeps 3-4 hours a night and has to force himself to lie down.  His energy is raw with determination. I thank him for sharing his energy as he dances past me and out the door.  Taylor has touched me deeply because of his belief that he is here on his own.  I told him how much of an impact he will have on this world regardless of how he thinks.  I have much to learn from Taylor’s strength and his ability to focus his energies. Everything is energy.  Everything vibrates and has a frequency

Mohamed tells me he is from Harlem where he enjoys studying to be a pilot. He has been a flight attendant and always wondered about the feeling of taking people to new worlds. Mahamed has a warm, patient aura and carries a smile in his eyes. I believe, and told him that he will be touching many people’s lives regardless of the job he takes. Mohamed can teach me patience and the enjoyment of the process. A warm soul taking strides in life with confidence in the future. Whenever I see my friend we are sure to stop each other to acknowledge, and share physical contact. Amazing how three months ago I would never have met or come across these wonderful beings. This journey of life requires patience, trust and Faith

Fellow cashier who always has a smile and will always take the added time to ask a customer about their day.... “You know it takes me two hours to get to work.  I have to take two buses from the Bronx.  It is a lot.  Then in the afternoon I take the buses back to go to class.  The college pays me.   Not a college I wanted to go to but my father refuses to pay money for college…they pay me.   I like coming here to get out of my apartment.  My brother is lazy and always fighting with my father.  I used to play soccer in middle school but my father doesn’t want me to play sports.”  It seems like so many obstacles my peer faces but every time I am in his presence he only acknowledges the pleasantness of Now. My heart melted when he told me of his daily obstacles. Such a wonderful human being on a journey.  Teach me this kind of strength.  I often see him sitting on a bench in the early afternoon, “Oh my bus doesn’t arrive for another ...

Tall, lanky woman in her 60’s tells me of having such a wonderful day because the hospital she just came from is so organized and the people are so warm and friendly. “They really know what they are doing there. I just go in and out to get my treatments.” She tells me it is perfect to combine a long fall drive with grocery shopping and a hospital visit. Her cancer is not who she is…in fact her cancer seems to be the excuse to go to such wonderful places. About an hour later a woman tells me how excited she is to take her 4 year old trick or treating to her work. “I love taking my child to work. They love her there and it is such a great atmosphere.” She goes on to tell me she is a nurse at a cancer treatment hospital. It seems like not only are the patients enjoying the journey but the staff as well. Same treatment facility with a compassion and kindness that goes beyond the identity of cancer. A Beautiful Being

After 30 years of teaching elementary students, I was ready for another purpose.  Maybe I could reach out to people and make their day a little easier.  Maybe a gentle greeting with a genuine interest in a person's life could help build a connection.  Maybe I could acknowledge the good, to give people a respite from social media and device addiction.   In September, I started a job as a cashier at a nearby grocery store in Westchester.  I picked this place because of its positive vibe and its access to many communities off the highway including Greenwich,  the Bronx and New York City.  This would put me in the ideal situation where people from all different walks of life are on a level playing field; getting groceries.   Since this venture was not about the money; starting at minimum wage and not about status or recognition, I decided to not share that I was a college graduate with graduate degrees.  At this point in my life, recogn...