I was at the register at a grocery store, standing behind a 20-something girl with a bag of organic cat grains on the counter, waiting for her turn to pay. She was wearing a beige hoodie, sweatpants, and slippers, and as the evening wore on, she seemed to suddenly find herself in need of cat food.
I thought to myself, I’m glad she bought such high quality food for her cat. As I was thinking about this, I suddenly heard a conversation between a petite older woman at the front of the line and the bagger loading the groceries. He noted that the two bags he had just packed were heavy and asked the woman if she needed help carrying the car. She said, “No, I’m walking.” “But this bag is heavy,” he answered. The cat food girl heard this and asked, “Where are you going?” She said, “Cedar Street is only a few blocks away.” “No problem, I’ll walk with you,” the young girl replied, and the woman was grateful and accepted the kind offer. All of us in line at the grocery store were smiling and acknowledging the tender moment when they left the store together.
I paid for the groceries, walked to my car, and figured I’d find someone who would offer to drive us both. However, as I pulled out of the parking lot, I saw them crossing the street, engrossed in conversation, but I stopped it so that their connection wouldn’t be interrupted (a woman brings a girl to tea). (I imagined myself inviting them to). This unexpected intergenerational kindness touched me so deeply that on the first night of Hanukkah, I drove home with a heart full and a smile on my face.
—
Janet Keller, Santa Monica
