Remember yesterday when I said going to the blood clinic wouldn’t be too bad because I often meet some nice people. Well, I guess God heard – and decided to surprise me! On my way home I stopped for groceries…….
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I stood eyeing the groceries in my basket, trying to decide how to go about unloading them since they were in two boxes both of which were too heavy for me to lift. So take out some of the items piece by piece seemed to be the most logical way.
The noisy sound of a motorcycle interrupted my thoughts. Shortly a muscled bearded man parked his bike and turned off the key.
“Hey, I need a Boy Scout or a biker to help me,” I called.
“Sure, what do you need?” he asked as he came my way.
He was no Boy Scout, but he had muscles and the manners of a Boy Scout. And I made a ten minute friend. Basket unloaded I told him he was welcome to the basket with its quarter in the slot. He pointed out that he didn’t need the basket, he couldn’t carry much on his bike. I laughingly told him he was welcome to the quarter anyway, so he took the basket to the storage place, retrieved the quarter, and gave me a friendly wave goodbye.
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I have found that the Aldi’s* parking lot is a most welcoming spot to give and receive a smile. Someone generously pays a quarter for his basket deposit, when he unloads he offers the basket to whoever parks near him, and the sequence can go on – until someone decides he needs the quarter worse than he needs a friendly smile. He retrieves the quarter deposit that someone else made and goes on his way – the old grouch!
*Aldi’s is a grocery story where you have to get your basket by putting a quarter in the slot to unleash it. After you unload it, it can be taken back to the basket row where the link is inserted to lock in the basket and out pops a quarter as the returned deposit.
Sweet aroma 
Nice to hear.a story of kindness.
His kindness was much appreciated. I probably gave him a new story to tell also.
I’m surprised you didn’t ask for a ride on the back of the bike just for kicks 😉
Oh, Julie. 😀 I hope I’m around to see what you are up to in forty more years. I’ll wait while you grow up.
At 57 I’m not getting on the back of the bike!
🙂 but I somehow think that you would in a heartbeat…which I love—as you have a joy in Holy abandonment that I find so grand and soothing..and yes I hope I can grow up into that same Holy abandon that you now rest in and enthusiastically relish–you have a gift Oneta and I am the better for it!!!
Thank you. I just really want to break the stereotype that being a Christian is a bore even at an old age. Life in Christ is a great adventure whether one is walking a path of trouble or everything is on a mountaintop. Adventure is present in either. He is good in joy or in sorrow. And he has been fun for me even when I’ve been sick as a dog. I’ve had years of betrayal and heart break. Jesus never failed me. You, dear, do show great joy in knowing Jesus. You are a great encouragement and teacher to your readers. I joke around so much, but this comment is a bit of my heart’s feeling for you and your ministry. Be blessed. You are a blessing.
thanks Oneta—and you are part of my inspiration as your teachings are sound and solid and never do you waver!!!!
😀
This is interesting. Mom used to shop at Aldi’s all the time in Kansas City, and I don’t remember the quarter for the cart routine. Maybe I just didn’t notice. We have a store not far from me. I’ll have to check it out.
Love your boy scout. I think there are a lot of people who’d help others out more than they do, but they’re afraid of having their actions misinterpreted. You did him a favor, as much as he did for you.
I don’t know how common it is but it has happened to me enough times for me to take note and I have done pass-alongs, I’ve also been the one who retrieved someone’s quarter rather than passing on. But whether getting or giving I get smiles. One fellow offered me a quarter, I told him someone gave it to me so he could pass it on or get the quarter as he wished. Probably depends on whether there is someone close who needs it. Yesterday a lady offered to go get a cart for me, and I gave her the quarter to use. I wasn’t using my cane and it did look like a long way to the baskets. She was walking toward me so she left her purse in her basket and went back to get one for me. Then I got inside the store and baskets were inside too. Things were disrupted because of remodeling. She was nice too, but not as much fun for telling my story.
Good karma comes back to you just like a boomerang. A little kindness goes a long way. Nice story and well told! I happen to love Aldis. The whole concept of conserving by not using all that wasteful packaging really is great and I think they are a role model for other supermarkets in terms of their efforts towards conservation and sustainability.
Peta
Thanks for the comment. My husband usually does the footwork of buying groceries. He can handle the “do it yourself” style better than I.
I like the sentiments expressed in this blog. I do not shop normally at Aldi’s as I prefer to take a trolley and have an obliging staff member in the supermarket pack my groceries and place them in the trolley. However your beautifully expressed idea of the helpful person and the benefit of being able to bless others in the simple way with the rewarded trolley return, appeals to me. . Its gentle its beautiful and I see it as a great example. Thank you.
What sweet words. Thank you.
This is so cool!! I recently wrote down some thoughts relating an occurrence at Aldi’s, related to the baskets. This is great. 😀
I hope your experience was pleasant. I don’t know if people have the same responses in other states. But I think in general, people like to be helpful. Thanks for your comment.
Oh yes, my experience was a good one. 🙂 Surely, you are correct. It was an honor!
😀