We were over at Wal-mart late yesterday afternoon, not wanting to wait until the absolute last minute to get some of the seasonal shopping done. The place was crowded, which was not a huge surprise. Having walked in to pick up the proverbial “just a couple of things,” we soon found ourselves needing a shopping cart.

After I made my way to the front of the store where the shopping carts are usually lined up as plentiful as lobbyists on the Beltline, I found a young man gathering up his sacks. As he turned to leave, I asked him, “Are you finished with this cart?” He confirmed the obvious. When I turned then to head back toward electronics, I saw a young couple looking around. The man was holding a toddler in one arm and had the look of utter delight that one wears when the beginning of a dreaded shopping excursion begins with the inability to find a shopping cart.

Masking my secret selfishness, I asked, with no trace of reluctance in my voice and hopefully none on my face, “You folks need a shopping cart?”

Owing either to the success of my acting job or his own desperation, he enthusiastically accepted the offer. I picked my packages back up out of the cart and managed to smile as I pushed it toward him.

As he put the baby into the cart, I noticed a young woman looking around with pretty much the same expression as I now had. “You looking for a cart, too?” Of course. Every shopper who had walked through the doors in the last ten minutes was looking for a shopping cart. Just as I resigned myself to an outdoor search and rescue mission, some generous soul came walking in, pushing five carts. “Yes, Elizabeth, there is a Santa Claus.”

And so folks, I encourage you to be the unexpected consideration, the unplanned but at least slightly appreciated kindness in someone’s day today. Even if it is the Christmas season. You’ll probably have more opportunities than you really wanted. Especially if you’re out shopping…

H. Arnett
12/23/09