The Cashier

Kathy comes in line with a broad smile and dark, warm eyes. She is tall with short blond hair. Kathy is immediate with her positive words. But slows her greetings to something else she would like to share. “I have a check-up today. I am not a religious person, but I am spiritual. Today, I asked God to help me one more time. He was there when I seemed to have no hope; he helped me get through cancer two times. I don’t have words for how I got through those times.” Kathy was quiet for a moment when describing her cancer recovery. Then she shifts her intensity, as she tells me that she still has so much more to give in life. “I told my husband I had an urge to go grocery shopping before my appointment. Maybe it was to meet you.”  At this point both of our eyes were watering...for me, I was in complete gratitude. I thanked her for her kind words and wished her well. I do believe she has more to give in this life. Kathy can teach me about living in the moment and appreciating...

A young gentleman in a starched shirt and a tie with a cropped haircut was quick to tell me his predicament. “I am not sure how I am going to get through this. I just got divorced. Actually three days ago.” He didn’t tell me specifics but I don’t believe it was in his nature to tell people about his problems. “I am not sure why I told you that.” Sad for the pain people are holding. What crushed me was him thinking he had to carry this burden on his own. I had nothing to lose so I told him that when I felt I was in a crisis mood, I find a mantra, that I repeat incessantly so I don’t have to listen to the chatter in my head. I suggested he repeat “I am strong…I am strong…I am strong.” as many times as he needed. He thanked me. I told him I am here if he ever needed to talk. Life can be tough, and it is terrible to think you have to take this journey alone. Staying grounded.  It may take nature.  It may take God. It may take a kind word from a stranger. .

Liliana is a small thinner looking woman with wide rimmed gold glasses and shiny black hair. There is a strength about her persona. “I bring my two kids Instacart shopping to teach them about work ethic. The money we make they split between the two of them. I worry about their future.” She goes on to tell me she works 16 hour shifts every other day in the emergency room, as well as going to school to be a full-time nurse. I asked her who taught her to be so diligent. “My grandmother was strict, but was warm when she wanted to be. She was a real worker and taught us to be workers. I miss everything about her.” Humbling to see someone take such control of life knowing her decisions and commitments have such a profound effect on her family's future. When I asked her what she does to take care of herself she had nothing to say. I hope she realizes that whatever happens in her life she is already a success with her devotion to her kids and her own professional improvement. I ...

Dwayne is a social worker at Children’s Village. “I am there for kids who don’t expect anyone to show up for them. These are foster kids that were abandoned. I show them how to be significant. Some live on campus and others I visit in their homes.” Dwayne goes on to tell me about his family, his youngest who is ten years old. As he talks, you can hear his passionate intention to make this life meaningful to those around him. He has an enthusiasm to him that I feel makes a difference in so many people’s lives. On these colder months, that could be lost to a dreariness, people like Dwayne remind me of how truly lucky we are. I must remember to constantly state and feel my Blessings. Nature and its beauty...This is the true Blessing

John, a stocky, shorter man, is a regular customer who is always moving with energy. Whenever he sees me, he stops what he is doing, and will head toward my line just to say hey and give me a hug. I haven’t had the time to ask him about his holidays until today. “Actually, it was tough. A relative of my wife died.” He motioned, taking a pill which I assume meant taking an overdose. “He was only 22 years old. And I heard it was over a girl!” He told me this is the second person in their twenties that he heard killed themselves. “I tell you Stef, this is why I hug my kids whenever I can. I want them to have those memories to remember good times.” I gave my condolences as he headed off. Life is difficult. It is hard to know how best to respond when you see someone struggling. Nature can teach us a lot about being resilient 

David is a tall gentleman with a trimmed mustache and beard. His dark features and smile exude confidence. He tells me that he was in the restaurant business for 25 years which beat him up physically. As he recovers, his true joy is family, more specifically his son who has Down syndrome. “Do you know when a baby enters this world you look for those milestones like sitting up or crawling or those first steps. With our son, each milestone was really delayed. But the slow, successes brought us so much joy.” He takes out his phone to show me several pictures of himself with his son. The young man with David is beaming. I comment on his glow; on his happiness. “He is our Light, our Divine Being.” As David walks away he stops and comes back to embrace my hand in his. “I really needed that, thank you.” He gives me his phone number telling me that his wife owns saunas that are laser instead of heat infused and he would love for me to try it out. These interactions show me how small...

Mary works for Sloan Kettering.  Within moments of meeting, you feel her urgency to share; “Yesterday a man in his 60’s just slumped over and died while receiving chemo. We thought he was just drowsy, because that is how he usually is in the morning.”  Then she includes, “His daughter was sitting right beside him.”  As she tells me this my heart sinks. I could feel the weight of this event on her even though she carries a genuine smile.  “It can be heavy working there but they (Sloan Kettering) really understands this and gives you as much time off as you need.”  “You know it really puts everything in perspective.  That bill that seemed so high and outrageous does not have the same significance; in fact it seems irrelevant.” Mary can teach me a lot about recognizing and appreciating the small things in life; understanding the need for gratitude. See the Light, it is there.  It is always there even in the darkest of times.  That Light is you.

Sarah, wears the lines of her smile with smoothness and kindness. Her hunched body is no indication of her energy and positivity. “You know they call me butterfly because I go around and spread Joy. That’s what brings me happiness.” She tells me about her job, why she enjoys it and the jobs she had, that just didn’t match her energy.  When she is ready to move on she turns and tells me, “You know the answer for me is that I try to learn one new thing everyday because that is good for my Soul.” I believe Sarah can teach us about patience and humility. She seems like she understands that this life is a marathon not a sprint. Keep an OPEN heart, you never know where Light might come from

MaryKate a middle aged woman is radiant with smiles as she patiently waits in line. “I just dropped my daughter off at the airport. I had such a wonderful time with my kids over the holidays. It is so hard for me to say goodbye, but I am so happy that they are happy in their lives.” As I start checking her items she tells me, “I have no idea why I am shopping or even here, especially because this store is in the opposite direction of where I am going.” MaryKate goes on to tell me her husband is suffering early dementia at 60 and he is unable to come out with her so she needed to hire a helper. “We never were happy together. He suffered depression and he could never keep a job but I took him back.” She goes on to tell me she is a lawyer, a public defender who finds gratitude in supporting people who don’t always have the resources. What a wonderful soul who seems to be able to give even when life throws her challenges. I admire her smile and her willingness to share such vulner...