How bananas broadened my scope and adjusted my attitude this week.
I re-learned a lesson this week that I am ashamed to say I needed.
It’s been a busy week, but Tuesday when I took a break at work, I ran to the store to grab a few things I needed and somethings I just wanted. Wanted for me usually means some kind of fruit. I buzzed through the store and quickly took my place in line behind a woman whom I thought was almost finished unloading her buggy of groceries.
The conversation between this woman and our cashier caught my attention. She was deciding what items she needed to put back. I glanced down at her buggy and noted she didn’t seem to be making frivolous purchases but was buying what Southerners call “staples” in the kitchen. My heart ached a bit for her. But who isn’t on a budget these days?
The cashier from the next line motioned that he could help me. I smiled and declined. Oh I desperately wanted to just be about my business and get back to work, but the woman’s words had frozen me in my tracks. “This means I can’t have my bananas!” A few words followed that I won’t repeat. Let’s suffice it to say she was frustrated and disappointed fruit wasn’t included in what she was taking home.
The cashier stepped away to bring a buggy over for what the customer had been able to purchase. What could I do? I can’t fix her financial situation?!?!? Could I afford to just buy the rest of the groceries? I mentally started calculating the cost of the left over contents of the buggy. Questions arose in my mind, “Is her need legitimate? Wonder what her situation is.” What does that even mean and what does it matter when someone is hungry?!!?!? The mental battle had begun. I thought to myself, You just wouldn’t go to the other line when offered! You could be half way back to work by now.” I recoiled at my own train of thought! I was talking myself out of compassion for another human being! I was trying to release myself from the responsibility that comes with being aware of an issue. Just because I didn’t have the definitive answer to her problem didn’t mean I could look the other way! In the South, there is a phrase someone needed to say to me, “You aughta be ashamed uh’yerself” You know what? I was.
I looked down at the strawberries I was buying “just because.” I gave myself a verbal spanking- so to speak, adjusted my attitude, put on a smile, and in true Southern fashion inserted myself smack dab in the middle of her business. I opened with, “Rough day?” yada yada yada....and informed her I was buying her bananas.
I’d like to say it felt good and I walked away feeling like I had done something great. It didn’t feel like enough, but better than nothing right? I still regret not buying the rest of her groceries. I realize I was looking too much at the big picture. It is important to do what you can when you can. I can’t end world hunger, fix the economy, put people back in jobs, or alleviate financial burdens. I had forgotten to look for the opportunities around me everyday to make a difference where and when I can. Things worth doing aren’t always BIG and usually don’t come labeled, “OPPORTUNITY.” I thought I knew and practiced this, evidently I needed reminding.
Whether or not this woman was down on her luck or on a chosen path riddled with bad decisions, I don’t know. But I think we all deserve bananas. I am aware there are lots of hungry people out there but, one lady and her bananas reminded me....one person at a time.
