Friday, August 1, 2025

“Glory to God,” Jeff steps up to me, arms extended with the kindest blue eyes. He is an older gentleman with a rounded tummy but clearly having muscles that get good use. “I walk in the woods at least four mornings a week. I have been doing it for twenty years. I used to be well known because everyone knew my two labradors; now it is just me.”

He goes on to tell me, “Nature keeps calling me. How blessed we are…It’s like God is creating this for our joy (as he points to the trees surrounding us). The light is miraculous how it bounces off the leaves and bark of the trees.” He then takes out his phone to show me pictures. "I saw these most beautiful mushrooms. It is like everything in here is perfect-God’s creations…for all to see.”

Wow…the excitement of the child in this large, gentle man…truly feeling Blessed.
Recognizing the beauty that surrounds us is also a call to the beauty within.

What is the purpose of these encounters?
Are there more possibilities for beauty and kindness when times are more challenging?



Outside Cashiering Encounter

Popular posts from this blog

The Beginning....and some Edited notes a year later

Image
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 and their addiction to thinking. In September 2024, 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...
Read more

Friday, November 15, 2024

Image
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.
Read more

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Image
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...
Read more

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Image
Innes, cuddled in a puffy coat followed by an energetic dog with the same warm disposition. They clearly are enjoying the morning’s crisp air as the sun bursts leaves in fragrant yellow, orange and red. She tells me of her walking prayers as she shares blessings of her children, husband, home and church. “My life pivoted by an accident I had six months ago and now I am so much aware of God’s presence in my life.” A beautiful soul sharing her vulnerabilities. We hug as we part and exchange contacts, as she invites me to a home “church service” later that day. Within an hour I receive a text of the address. I was greeted into a humble home with about fifteen people of all ages, fire in the hearth, and a table of teas, pastries and cakes. A warm gathering of songs, hymns, and readings from the Bible. Innes shared her trust in Jesus based on our connection from this morning…very touching. Innes clearly has a genuine devotion to her spiritual journey which is echoed in her weekly gat...
Read more

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Image
“I remember you.” A bigger gentleman in his 50’s with a strong demeanor and physical strength reminds me of our past encounter. I tell him I remember him with his son. He smiles and you feel his pride, his warmth. “Yes, whenever I get the opportunity to be with him regardless of what we are doing I take it. He needed food, so grocery shopping it was. I used to be a police officer and now I am semi-retired. I help my friend who is a plumber and I have owned a restaurant and a landscaping business.” We talk about how short life is and the importance of being with our kids. He kind of beamed when talking about his son almost in a jolly way.  "You know none of this is really about us.  When we realize that, then nothing becomes personal." He left, shaking my hand and formally introducing himself. A good person who seems to have his priorities in order. Beauty all around us
Read more

Tuesday, March 13, 2025

Image
Marie, with long straight blond hair and blue eyes looks tired with wrinkles that are ingrained in her skin like dried out river beds in a desert. But her light, her intensity, changes when she talks. “Do you know I still live in the same house in New Rochelle that I was born in. I have had neighbors come and go but I am still there. The high school looks the same but it definitely has changed.” She tells me more about her community and then switches her focus and a warmth comes over her. “I remember the place that made me feel most comfort, was the church across the street. I still remember at age thirteen going to the church alone and feeling such a sense of peace, away from all of the outside noise. There was such a sense of stillness there. Now He, (she gestures to the sky) is always with me.” Through our conversation, Marie makes several gestures with her hands to show a kind of path to the Lord being up and down and the physical life being a horizontal plane. There is a real...
Read more

Friday, November 15, 2024

Image
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
Read more

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Image
A man well over 6 feet and a somewhat muscular body with a hat spelling TRUMP rolled up to my line in a motorized wheelchair. He shared with me what a wonderful day it is. “It is just spectacular. Every day is that way. I wake up so happy to be alive.” As he was leaving he told me 6 months ago the doctors gave him 5 months to live. Tuesday, November 26, 2024-A woman in her 50’s with a somber air, serious expression and a cutting voice rushed to begin bagging as I scanned her food. From her energy I respect her space. “You know I had a death in the family yesterday.” As she talks you can feel the weight of her shoulders drop. Oh how my heart crumbled for her. How I admire her strength, humility and acceptance at that moment. As she leaves, all I could summon was that I would be thinking of her. Nature can teach us about the fleeting of moments...this too shall pass
Read more

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Image
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. .
Read more

A response from...An Idea... published December 6th

Image
Today my general manager called me into his office. He let me know he received my proposal and has been thinking a lot about it and the logistics to implement it. The store prides itself on being one of the best 100 places to work for  the last 27 consecutive years and a place where shoppers can expect warm exchanges with employees.  With well over 100 people working at any given shift, the general manager's desire to take time from what he was doing and reflect on a topic of kindness and compassion is a win. Good for him and good for us as a humanity that there are people out there who are making the decisions and still recognizing the importance of the person beyond the money. Maybe all we can do is to put an idea out to the Universe and have It decide the path to be taken. Note: On January 20th, 2025 I received a written note from the Senior Vice President of HR thanking me for the idea of a gratitude line. He stated that the senior team had discussed an idea similar to ...
Read more