Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Open Eyes


Jerry works as a bagger at a Kroger nearby. He is exceptionally friendly and engages me in conversation. That conversation always revolves around these topics:

he is 55,

he loves the show, Charmed,

he hopes to be the ball boy for the Detroit Pistons,

and

he really, really wants to be Boy Scout.

Most of the time Jerry is talking, I spend fretting because I've spent way too much on my purchases. I look at the things we could have done without, but they are things my kids love. Those four children always smile when I walk in with some of their favorite treats. So while I've spent far more than I should have, I did it to show my children how much I love them.

Yesterday Jerry put several packages of meat on top of a carton of eggs. He dropped the milk on top of the meat, and I felt my annoyance couple with my anxiety about the final bill. I was late to pick up one of my sons, but Jerry was only to the ball boy part of his discussion and I may have sighed.

And then it happened with no warning. I had an epiphany.

I was reminded that Jerry is as precious to the Lord as my own children are to me.

That thought literally rooted me to the floor.

With one last toss of a box of Clementines on top of a delicate and ridiculously expensive bag of apple chips meant for my son, Jerry reminded me:

"Ma'am, I really want to be a Boy Scout."

He didn't even seem alarmed at the motionless woman who stood there smiling and discreetly dabbing the tears in her eyes.


11 comments:

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, I love Jerry!!!!

Julie said...

We have Rudy. He too wants to be a boy scout and he is sure hard on the loaf of bread. Since I am so invovled in scouting I have decided that next week Rudy is going to the scout meeting with me. If I can swing it and find out where Rudy lives. That's the next step when he squishes the next loaf of bread. I love your post. Even our little things that stress us out can be made into other things.
Take care and have a blessed weekend.

claudia said...

I don't have a Jerry or Rudy. I sure wish I did, because these high school kids who can only think up to and including the guy or girl they are dating and the next big date, drives me nuts. I don't even get a how do you do with my grocery bags!

Unknown said...

How utterly sweet. I have had a few Jerry's in my life and know the honor of the lesson.

So special. We need to make him a Boy Scout somehow, huh? Maybe he could be a special helper at times??

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

What a lovely story!

Susan Anderson said...

I love this because I've been exactly there.

We have a Jerry at our neighborhood grocery store, too.

Thanks for sharing.

=)

A Lesson in Happiness

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

OH Jerry, so sweet, as are you...you're right, I'd still have been annoyed though. :)

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Kristin - The Goat said...

How is it that you can bring such emotion to a blog post in just a few sentences?! Well, it's probably because you are so talented and observant and and and... Wow. Thanks :)

I Am Woody said...

You are a good egg:)

Kelli Nørgaard said...

Who would've thought we could learn a life lesson at the supermarket..

thank you SO much for sharing this..and for being you!

Unknown said...

I heart all the Jerrys of the world. We all need to learn the lessons they teach.