Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A Day That Went Right

We've all had those days when everything went wrong. I even recently blogged about one. But today I'd like to tell you about today, a day that went "right." If I'd had my mind on mundane things, these sweet small acts of kindness would probably have flown by unnoticed.

It started this morning with me shuttling my mother to her medical treatment in Paris, Tennessee. After the medical aids wheel her into the room, I have two hours and thirty minutes to waste. Somehow I have yet to be bored. In fact, a few times I've had to rush to get back to pick Mother up on time.

Today, my first stop was Walmart. In the checkout lane, a young lady let me go in front of her, because as she said, "You only have two items, and besides I want to read this gossip tabloid." She added, "I'm really ashamed that I read this stuff, but I just can't help it." I picked up a Southern Living magazine and told her to hide it inside. I laughed when she actually did.

The conversation took off from there. When I told her I was an author, she became excited and announced it to the checkout clerk and everyone else within hearing distance, declaring she'd never actually met a celebrity before, (LOL) "though both Chuck Norris and Hank Williams, Jr. have visited the Paris Walmart store."

Before I left Walmart, I gave the young woman my business card including this blog link and an email addy. I had to laugh at her parting words."The next time I see you, I'll bet the Pavarottzi will be following you around."

I left smiling and feeling on top of the world. The next stop was a Get'n Go. I filled a cup with aromatic coffee and enough liquid French Vanilla creamer to make up for the calories I missed at breakfast. Then I reached into my jeans pocket for change (just to get rid of the nickels, dimes, and quarters). When the clerk and I added it up, I was thirty cents shy. I said, "I hate to do this, but..." I opened my wallet to pull out a dollar when the young man behind me threw two quarters on the counter. "Here's fifty cents. Take it." I explained that I had the money, but he kept insisting and shoved it toward the checkout girl. After shoving it back at him twice, I relented, squeezed his arm, and told him to have a blessed day.

My next stop I bought pet food. When the checkout guy totaled the bill, I reached into my pocket and found myself two cents short on change. Looked like I would have to break a dollar for two pennies. (I spent my pennies at the Get'n'Go.) The checkout guy reached on top of his cash register and tossed two pennies on the counter. "Here you go. Someone threw these up here earlier because they didn't want them."

I thanked him and told him to have a blessed day. By now I'm thinking, "I came out of Walmart feeling like I had a million bucks, and twenty minutes later I've been the recipient of two handouts." LOL. Now I look like a charity case.

But this isn't the end of the story. I shopped for a few items at a large chain supermarket. (I won't mention the name.) When I started opened my wallet, I couldn't find the store's discount card. Without it I would have to pay full price for the sale items I had. The checkout lady tried punching my phone number in the computer, but it didn't take. So she yelled at the woman behind me with an overflowing shopping cart. "Do you mind if this lady up here, uses your card?" The woman responded, "Of course not!" and handed it to the clerk.

Because of her generosity I was able to buy two bottles of calcium for the price of one.

These gestures may not seem like much, but after dwelling on them, they gave me a new perspective. I wondered how many small acts of courtesy we take for granted, daily, just letting them slide by. These kind deeds mean a lot in this age where we often shake our heads and wonder, "What is this world coming to?"

Today I evidenced the generosity of three caring individuals. With all the bad reports we hear on the news, it's hard to see the good in others. But no matter what the news media would have us believe, wonderful, caring folks still live among us.

So, how was your day? I hope you were as blessed as I.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A Poll: What Makes For a Memorable Book and/or Movie?

I have an inquiring mind and would like to know: Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that you just can't get out of your head?

Every writer's dream is to pen a story that will linger in the reader's mind until he/she expires. But, what makes a story or movie memorable? That is the BIG question. Give us your opinion.

Will you share that memorable book and/or movie title with readers and tell us why you think it (or they) should make it...or "did make" it to the top?

Please post a comment. This should prove interesting.