There Are Still Good People

There Are Still Good People

by Marilyn Mackenzie

Sometimes we need reminders that there are still good people in the world.  Some people this afternoon got that reminder.

I was standing in line at the Walgreens down the street and wondering about the long line.  Even at this time of year, if there are more than 3-4 people in line, they'll open up another register - the second one at the front of the store, or one in cosmetics or photos.  If it's really crowded, I've even heard the pharmacy clerk get on the intercom and instruct customers to that register.  But today, there were 8 people in line.

The woman at the front of the line put her purchases on the counter - a container of baby formula, some Pediolyte, and a half gallon of milk.  In her hand, she had a coupon.  As she reached into her bag for her change purse, she discovered that it wasn't there.  Tears welled in her eyes as she moaned, "That was my last $20.  Now what am I going to do?" 

The clerk inquired about the change purse and mentioned that a young boy had checked out a few minutes before with a small blue change purse and had paid with a $20.

The customer put on a brave face, then closed her eyes and said, "Lord if that boy needs the money more than I do, I'm happy to be allowed to share."  She started to get out of line to put the things she wanted to purchase back, but the woman behind her said, "Here.  It's only $3 but it's what I can do without."

Before the young mom could say "thank you", the next customer also handed her $3, and then the next, and then the next.  Tears rolled down the young woman's face as she was overwhelmed at the kindness of strangers.

Six customers gave the woman $3.  Someone joked that the last man only had to chip in $2 to make up the $20 the woman lost.  He reached into his wallet and took out two crisp bills and handed them to the young woman.  She quickly said her "thank-yous", then gasped in surprise.  What she thought had been two $1 bills was actualy two $50 bills.

"I can't take this," exclaimed the woman.

"Of course you can," replied the gentleman.  "Merry Christmas!"

"Sir, you have no idea...  My husband lost his job and he got another one after a month, but we weren't going to be able to get any gifts for our kids.  Then the baby got sick..."

"Buy something for the children, but make sure you buy something for yourself too," said the man.

"Thank you, sir.  I will.  And thank you to everyone else.  Would any of you want these dollars back?"

Each one shook his/her head.

My turn finally came and I paid for my purchases.  As I exited the store, I stopped at the red Salvation Army kettle outside the store.  The young bell ringer put his hand over the kettle opening.  "Thanks," he said, "but that lady in the beat up old car said she was putting money in the kettle for the next 7 people who came out of the store."

I looked up, and noticed that the young woman was no longer crying.  She had a huge grin on her face as she pulled away, waving.  When she was out of sight, I dropped some money into the kettlel anyway.