I was attracted to the line immediately. The woman's wise energy was smooth and intent. (She was also rocking a super cool, slightly sequined and exceptionally worn hat as she waited.) She was putting what looked like the interesting makings for a holiday (10 iced cotton candies, an assortment of chocolates and a pack of bikini underwear) on the checkout belt. I couldn't help it. I was drawn to that line.
We stood there for less than a blink and then she said to me, eyeing my cart and the elf hats therein, "You must be shopping for some little ones too!"
"No," I said, "Believe it or not, these are for work- a girl's gotta have a little fun in the office at the holidays!"
She laughed and went on to talk about the gifts for her nineteen grandkids!
"The little ones get toys but the older ones each get $30 in cash and some sweets. What do I know about shopping at Aeropostale?" She laughed quietly and carefully counted the treats as the cashier rang her out.
The cashier started to give her the change from her transaction, but the lady stopped her.
"Put this money on her bill, " she said, pointing to me.
The cashier and I both looked at her a little confused.
"I saw one of the parents of those babies up North in Connecticut on TV. That mom said right into the camera to do something nice in this world to remember our babies. Well," she continued, looking right at me," I have decided to do my niceness to you."
The cashier and I both choked up.
"Thank you," I said tearfully, "I am honored." I put my arms out to hug her.
The cashier touched her hand.
The woman looked at both of us and said, "C'mon on now, it wasn't that much money."
She smiled a bit sadly under her beautiful hat, turned her scooter on and drove away.
The cashier and I looked at each other for a minute and then she started ringing me out.
"There are angels everywhere if you look," she said, passing my elf hats over the scanner.
"Agreed. Now, how do we honor that angel?" I asked.
We hatched a plan right there. The cashier will give the money to a kid she chooses that comes through her line tonight. She will say an elf left it for a special child and then she will hand it to a special, special child.
"This will be quite a night," she said, handing me my receipt. "How will I choose?"
________________________________________________________________________
I am one luckie girl-
bumping elbows with two angels,
in one check out line on a Tuesday.
