A feel-good story

How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.

~ Morgan Freeman

Listening to the news is depressing these days. So many are suffering around the world. We need to share some feel-good stories.

I was at a loss to come up with an uplifting tale to tell until I called my mother yesterday.

Mom is in her early eighties. She lives in Toronto alone, having lost my father because of CV19 - not from it. The loneliness has aggravated her mental health. (I have written about dad's passing here and mom's mental health here.)

My mother uses a mobility scooter to run errands. She does not drive a car. Yesterday she rode to the nearest grocery store.

Mom takes pride in saving. I often hear her complain about how expensive groceries have become. Sadly, she is not alone.

At the store, she got the basics like milk and bananas. Having seen what was on sale in the weekly flyer, she also got bleach, laundry detergent and a few other items.

A woman ahead of mom at the cash register picked up and placed the groceries from the basket of the scooter onto the conveyor belt. Mom thought that was a very thoughtful gesture and said thank you. There were a few other items in a bag. Mom placed them on the counter.

The cashier said that the total owing was $2.15.

Mom countered that there must be a mistake.

The cashier said there was no mistake. The lady ahead of her had paid for the groceries in the basket.

My mother was asked to pay only for the items in the bag - onion and parley.

Oh my gosh! Mom was overwhelmed with emotion. She prefers to give rather than receive. She attempted to find and pay the woman.

Because that was not to be, mom prayed that this kind and thoughtful lady experience countless blessings. I suspect she will.

Happy Canada Day.