A Long Day

After another long day working, I got in my car and drove to my favorite grocery store. The air outside was bitter cold, as clouds covered the windy skies, blowing its icy breath upon my shivering skin. Quickly I hurried inside the store, my makeup wearing off and the dark circles underneath my eyes peaking through; a dreadful reminder of the long hours that I work, even when I am sick.

Walking through the aisles, I loaded my cart with an assortment of nuts, quinoa, and rice noodles, before briefly stopping by the flowers and admiring their delicate beauty. I was tempted to buy myself a small bouquet so that I can place it upon my desk. I have always loved the way fresh cut flowers look in my apartment and something about having them on a desk that I work long hours at, just makes me feel so good inside.  

“Not today,” I told myself, as I remembered that I had just spent far too much on Christmas gifts for my friends and family and I didn’t need to spend any unnecessary money on flowers.

I got in a line and looked up to see the cashier that I normally go to, was there. With her hair tied back into a low ponytail she wore a smile on her face and every time I have been in her line, I have heard her compliment every customer she interacts with. I’ve always liked being in her line. I like watching the faces of the people in front me light up as she finds something positive to say about them. By now I have seen her dozens of times and she always has such a refreshing attitude. I’ve always hoped that when I am her age that I will be just like her.

As I approached her with my full cart, she looked up at me with concern. I’m usually so chipper and happy but today I felt like I was 100 years old with a heavy weight on my shoulders.

“What’s wrong Angelika,” she asked as she began to scan my groceries.

“I’m sorry I am not myself today,” I said with a scratchy voice. “I’m so exhausted.”

“I think you’re too hard on yourself,” she said, furrowing her wrinkled brow as her dark brown eyes stared into mine. She could tell it was not mere exhaustion that was wearing me down, but something else.

“You’re probably right,” I said with a weak smile, trying my best to muster up some energy even though I felt like a car running on “E.”

Suddenly her face lit up. “I know just the thing you need,” she exclaimed before rushing away for a few moments. I stood there in a state of confusion as the bagger quietly put my groceries in the shopping cart. When the woman finally came back around the corner, she had a fresh bouquet of pink roses in her hand.

“A pretty girl like you needs pretty flowers in her life. Here is something to cheer you up,” She said. “It’s on me.”

My mouth dropped open as I felt a wave of happiness sweep over me. I was taken aback by her kindness. “Thank you,” I stuttered out as I began to smile, looking at the beautiful roses in my cart.

As I walked away from her, I felt in my heart that I wished she could feel the impact that she just had on my day. That small gesture of kindness is one that I will never forget. So now as I write to you, these flowers are drying out in my closet. When they are done drying, I will put them in a vase so that every time I look at them I will remember the impact that a stranger can have in someone’s life.