Do-Gooders Come In Assorted Forms

I've been shopping for Christmas supplies this week. I don't want a big list to buy all at once. That is too much effort for my not-nimble knees. Every day or two, I stop by Save A Lot or 10Box for a few things. I have a nice bone-in Brown Sugar Baked Ham. And all of my Chex Mix fixin's. And enough Oreos and mix for three cakes. The perishable foods have to wait.

Anyhoo... on Monday I pulled up to 10Box, first handicap space to the right of the door. A man was standing out front. Kind of lurking. Maybe smoking. He looked like Smokey Lonesome in Fried Green Tomatoes. Like a guy kind of down on his luck. Just a scroungy kind of man, though not giving off any menacing vibes, or begging. 

"Your lights are on!"

I was sliding out of T-Hoe.

"Your lights are on, ma'am. Your lights are on!"

"Yes. They'll go off in a minute. I have those daytime running lights. I can't turn them off! They come on every time I start the car, and go off on their own when I turn it off. But thank you!"

"You're welcome. I just didn't want your battery to go down."

Such a nice guy, trying to help me avoid undue hardship.

On Tuesday, as I wheeled my cart/walker full of cereal and nuts and garlic salt and garlic powder to the checkout, and old man was approaching from the other side. I wasn't sure if he was coming across the front aisle, or headed for the register. I had been the length of the store. He had only been through produce and cereal and canned goods. I didn't know if he was done shopping. I proceeded to get in line. He got in line behind me. Then another man got in line.

"Here, you go ahead me," said Old Man to the Other Dude.

"No, that's fine. I'm okay."

"I don't mind. God has blessed me with this day, and I'm spreading the joy."

"Really, it's okay. But I can go ahead if you want. And if they call someone else up, you can jump over and be first."

So a compromise was reached, neither taking advantage of the other. Indeed, a young man WAS called to the front, and Old Man moved to that register. The Universe's reward, I suppose. He bagged his groceries alongside me, and followed me out the door.

"Isn't this a beautiful day?"

"Yes! I'm really enjoying the sun. I'm afraid it's not going to last long!"

"It might not. But we have today. God bless you ma'am."

"And you too."

I don't particularly care for people showering me with their religion, but I'm not going to complain about it. Old Man was strong in his beliefs, meant well, and wasn't hurting anybody.

Not every day is full of rumpusholes.