i was feeling the need for a diet mountain dew yesterday around lunchtime, so i walked over to the shop n save. i was amazed at how busy the place was! i only needed the pop, so i did not really go far into the store at all.

i grabbed two bottles of my beloved dmd and got into a line. all four lines were open, and each had 2-3 people in them already! i was not in any huge hurry, so i perused the magazines and decided to pick up the new copy of ‘O.’

after i got in line, i noticed the woman in front of me. she was very tall with messy blonde hair piled on her head. she was talking her her son who was in an umbrella stroller in front of her. he was asking for reese cups. she said, “i don’t know if i have enough for reese cups.” he kept asking. she was not losing her cool, just kept giving him the same answer. i would guess he was between 3 and 4.

she starting talking to no one in particular, saying, “I have to buy dinner before I can buy candy. Your dad is supposed to meet me here to help pay for this. Of course, he is no where to be seen!” Her voice had an edge… a desperate edge. I know that edge. It means she was scared she did not have enough money.

I looked at her little basket of food as she put it on the counter. She had gotten a packet of ground meat, a loaf of bread, an onion, a quart of milk and a few other odds and ends… cans of veggies, i think. She also had a bag of doritos, which she had at the end. When everything had been totaled, she told the cashier (a man) to leave off the doritos, because she didn’t have enough.

Her total was $19.67. She mumbled that she had $15 in food stamps, and then started counting quarters and change. She was short.

At that moment, my heart felt for her. I wanted so badly to help her, and i did something i have never done. I took two dollars out of my wallet and laid them on the counter where she was counting her money. Then i took another dollar out and said, “For the candy bar.”

She was completely startled, then looked at me and thanked me. I told her that i have been in her shoes and not to worry about it. She thanked me again. I could see her shoulders lift up a little bit as the stress was lifted. she told me then that she has 8 kids, that this one is her baby, and she was just trying to buy dinner. i said, “God bless you!” and smiled at her, looking in her eyes. She smiled back.

At that moment, an older man walked in and up to her. She said, “this nice lady gave me $3 so i could get our dinner.” he said nothing to me, and i didn’t say anything. she paid and walked out, thanking me again.

i bought my 2 pops and my magazine (all luxuries) and walked out. my heart felt so light at that very moment, i almost started singing. i know, it was a little thing and a silly thing, but it felt so good.

who knew $3 was going to make me feel so good! i don’t think it has ever felt so good to spend money before.

as i walked out, i saw them walking across the parking lot. the little boy was very quietly munching on his reese cup. the mom was chattering away, although i could not hear what she said. and i was humming to myself and thinking about it all.

i could be wrong, but i am pretty sure the sun was shining a little extra-brighter at that moment too! 😀