Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Friday, October 26:

Well, my strength is coming back to me. My new medications are working. There's one that I've been reassigned to (having it when I was younger and first found out to have Chrons at 9) and it's driving me nuts. It's called Prednisone and the side effects are enough to make anyone go insane. The major one that's really getting me down is it causes insomnia. For the last few nights I've woken up in the middle of the night, finding myself unable to fall back asleep. I've gotten 4 hours one night, and- happily- 6 last night. Still, it's bugging me.

Besides that, I was able to get out of the house for a bit and do some shopping. Where? Ironically it was at the place I work at. I had to pick up a few quick items (realizing I have to go back tomorrow for cat food for my cat Sutkei. She's apparently getting sick over the food we currently have) and to chat with the manager in training that my boss was, well, training for another store. Today was his last day at our store.

Upon arrival at the store mom and I noticed a lady ambling up the hill that led to Dollar General. She had mussy gray hair, a heavy woolen coat of an interesting shade of gray and light brown. A paper bag clutched to her chest, she looked at us as we pulled into the parking lot and gave the sweetest grin imaginable.

I hopped out of the car right away and went over to her. "How are you Minnie?"

Minnie is a common costumer at not only my store but also where my mom works. She walks everywhere due to the fact she believes aliens will know where she is the second she gets into a car. Retired, she still dotes on her son and loves him like none other. A lot of people think she's crazy (and maybe she is) but she has the kindest heart and good will you'd ever imagine.

I walked in with her, and we chatted for a bit as we shopped. I parted ways with her, going about my own business and following my mom to where ever she found herself heading. I later came across Minnie again as she stood there in a pondering fashion, a chicken frying pan in hand, gazing down the pet supply aisle.

I came up to her, and she mentioned something about Christmas. I smiled, showing her a snowman I had in my carry along basket. I pointed out that this was for my mother (her collection of jolly snowmen grace our kitchen every winter; they overflow the shelves, buffet and nearby table).

Her eyes lit up. She looked around (I must add it looked comical) to see if my mother was nearby. She then looked back at me and smiled, and in her hoarse voice she said, "I want to get you a Christmas gift."

I nearly fell over. What? No, no... I couldn't believe it. Although retired, money was hard to come by for her. Sure, I was the only one who really liked her up at my store- stopping to chat with her and help her with finding the perfect toy for her grandson. But the fact of it was, I didn't see her often. We didn't really know each other more than a friendly basis. She knew my mother, and was close friends with her.

Sure enough, she led me over to the purple dot aisle, where everything was 90% off. She instructed me to pick what I wanted. I couldn't get myself to do it. "I want to get you something in return, Minnie!"

"Oh, no, you don't need to do that. I've got enough stuff."

My heart melted from the kindness. When she paused, looking at some adorable angelic bauble that sat on the shelf, I snatched up a flower trinket box and a beautiful wind chime with the clear intent of getting it for her present.

Today amazed me. To see the kindness in one woman like that... it makes you wish the world was a much happier place. Where did the days go when you could look at a stranger and smile, happy to get one in return other than an odd stare or a cold shoulder? Love. True love for neighbors and strangers alike...

I wish there were more Minnies in this world. We need them, badly.

heart Peace out, ya'll! heart