The Gift from Little Dog

The checkout line at the discount store was moving extremely slowly. It is a Holiday. It is a wonder the store is even open. There are last minute gifts to score.

Everyone in the line was waiting patiently, not pushing or stamping their feet or making rude comments or cutting to another line. There was only one line. Each thanked the clerk, took their purchases and exited.

I had Little Dog, holding her in one arm and the cart with the other. Little Dog is fine on her leash outside the store, but jumps at my legs constantly if I put her on the floor inside a store, so I carry her.

I’ve been making several trips to the discount store this past week. Projects needed many more items than I had anticipated, so I was a frequent shopper.

I did not recognize the clerk. All that I had checked out with before were fast. The lines moved. This clerk didn’t exactly look like the brightest bulb in the pack. Her expression was dull. Her face was downcast. She carefully picked up each item, carefully looked for the scanning code, and carefully placed it in front of the scanner. Then she carefully, slowly, for each item, one-by-one, put them into a bag. She then asked if the customer would like a receipt, then thanked the customer for shopping.

I kept thinking, be patient, your turn is coming. You are not in any rush.

When it was my turn, the clerk looked up, and her face exploded with smiles. She exclaimed how beautiful Little Dog was, and asked her name. She asked if she could touch her, and was so glad Little Dog could come to the store. I told her this was a special treat. Little Dog doesn’t get to shop very often.

Before I checked out, we were all friends.

I told the clerk she had made Little Dog’s day, and the clerk responded, 

“She has made my day.”

And she had. 

I left the store with the clerk appearing entirely different. This is someone in a low-paying job, probably functioning at the top of her ability, yet going to work, taking care of people, and doing so meticulously, and probably on many occasions, being chastised for being slow.

This made my day, too. It was a gift from my wife, from her dog.

It was a gift that brought joy into my heart in a time of sadness, when an ache remains in the hole of my heart that she used to fill.

My wife was able to interact so seamlessly with others, to say the right thing, to leave others feeling good about their interaction with her, which ended up making both of their days better.

Not being a patient person, did my past wife decide I was taking too long at the store? Had she decided I needed a little prodding? Did she pay me a little visit to move things along? Like, where is her tamale?

Perhaps so. I do know that the right words came out of my mouth at the store. I found myself sharing. Both the clerk and I appreciated the beauty of this little dog.

Her dog, my wife’s dog.

Let me know how you are doing. I care.

Contemplation: Think about how little things can brighten up everyone’s days.

Sincerely,

Lynn Brooke

© 2023 Our New Chances

Photo Credit: © 2023 Rachel Gareau