03/02/2026
"Would you like some Girl Scout cookies?!
We've all heard it.
I'd already seen the tables overflowing with the stacks of colorful boxes. A couple of adults were sitting behind the tables and a few girls standing in front of them with smiles on their hopeful faces.
Of course, I want Girl Scout cookies.
But, I just smiled and shook my head and gave them my standard response,
"Maybe on my way out."
There was a time when I would purchase as many as a couple and as much as ten boxes of a variety of my favorites at one location. A couple of boxes of Thin Mints for the freezer. A box each of Samoas and Do-si-dos readily available and within arm's reach. Usually devoured down to the last crumb in a couple of days.
Or hours sometimes.
They were cheaper a few years back.
I grabbed a buggy and stopped in the entrance. An elderly man was blocking the whole thing. Standing right in the middle, looking at a list then looking around. Before I could ahem or blurt, "Excuse me", he turned around and gave an innocent smile and offered an apology. He looked worn down. What was left of his grey hair was standing up in a few places. And he looked like he'd lost a few pounds recently as his clothes looked loose. The sweater looked two sized too big on him.
I mumbled no problem and continued on my way.
For two steps.
"I just can't seem to find the bananas."
I stopped and turned toward him. My brain said, "Maybe that's because you're still in the doorway and haven't moved over toward that area."
But my mouth said, "Oh yeah? They should be right over here." I began to point and then push my buggy over to where I knew the bananas to be. He smiled again and followed me.
We found the bananas and his eyes lit up.
"Thank you, young man!"
I mumbled no problem again and went on my way.
I made it three more aisles.
All the way to the cookie aisle. I was thinking of the price difference of some Oreos or Nutter Butters compared to cookies outside at the table where the dealers were waiting on me on my way out.
"Excuse me, young man."
I turned and it was the same old man. He was smiling and holding up a sheet of yellow paper. He had slipped on a pair glasses and they had slid down his nose.
I looked in his cart.
Only the bananas.
"I need a little more help finding a few things. Would you have the time to help me?"
My brain is screaming.
But, of course, I said sure and asked for his list.
The handwriting was worse than chicken scratch. I could only decipher a few of the words. He could see my eyes squint and he gave a chuckle.
"My hands shake something terrible."
I hadn't noticed at first.
But now I could see. Trembling. Non-stop.
"It's ok, just help me with a few these words and we'll fill up your buggy."
"I sure do appreciate it, it's not a whole lot. My wife is usually with me and knows where everything is."
"It's alright. What's this one?" I reached the list out toward him.
"Oatmeal with raisins and dates."
It took a while.
He seemed weak and he was shuffling along with slow steps. After the fourth item crossed off - he brought a pen and crossed off each item off when we found them - he said,
"I have to find oatmeal and applesauce and some soup because me and Bessie have to have soft food and things that are a little easier on the stomach."
"It's no problem, we're almost finished."
"You see, Bessie just got home from the hospital. My oldest, Gerald, is staying with her while I'm doing the shopping."
I nodded and continued looking for the next item on the list.
"I guess I could've let him come and grab the groceries, but, and I'm at little ashamed to say it, but I just had to get out of there for a few minutes."
I didn't know what to say. I nodded and slowed my buggy. This man needed an ear. A stranger's ear. I know I looked uncomfortable and fidgety. I don't know what made this old man look at me and then choose me.
"We were at the hospital for almost three weeks. I stayed right there by her bed. I didn't want to leave and you better believe they weren't going to make me."
He started to tear up.
"But it was sure hard to see her like that."
I didn't say a word. I froze.
"But, now we're back home and she's too weak to hardly get out of the bed."
I nodded again and looked at others passing by in the aisle.
"I shouldn't be telling you all this. Let's finish up so you can get what you need."
"It's ok, is she doing better now? Just weak?"
"Well, she's home. And right now she's comfortable. Now, we just wait."
He reached out a hand.
It was shaking so bad.
I reached out too. He needed a comforting touch.
I started as he pulled me in for a hug.
I know I froze.
But, as the old man gently cried on my shoulder, I begin to melt and wrapped my arms around him.
Others in the aisle had stopped by now and just stared, not knowing the reason.
We patted each other's back and broke apart.
He wiped his eyes.
"Let's just get me some ice cream and I'll get out of here. Bessie'll be waiting on me."
I helped the old man finish up at the register. I left my buggy near the front and then followed him to his car.
I loaded his few bags in the trunk.
He shook my hand and nodded at me, too embarrassed that he might start crying again to speak another word. I turned back to the store to finish my shopping when I heard,
"Would you like some Girl Scout cookies?!"
I smiled again.
"Maybe on my way out."
We just never know.
Be kind. Be Nice.
Have a great week, everyone.
Keep your head up.
