During a routine trip to the supermarket recently, a young man who was working there approached me.
“Hi, Ma’am. How are you today?” By looking at him and hearing him speak, I knew he was mentally challenged.
“Fine,” I answered. “How are you?”
“I’m doing great!” he smiled. “You have Winnie the Hoo on your shirt. I like that! Wanna do some sit-ups later?”
Funny. Unexpected. And ironic. This boy had no idea that I’ve always had a little pot belly (much like Winnie the “Hoo,” and can always benefit from a stomach workout). “Well,” I answered, “I do need to do some sit-ups …”
“Great! We’ll meet outside after you check out, and we’ll do some sit-ups.”
As he walked away, I figured he would likely forget our conversation in minutes. Nope! He found me in almost every aisle I went down.
“Hey Buddy! Don’t forget about the sit-ups! When you’re ready to pay, I’m gonna bag your stuff, okay?”
Sure enough, when he saw which checkout line I was in, he approached the bagger and requested to bag my groceries when it was time. “I want to help my friend,” he said. The other people in line stared at him, then at me. I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders.
This young man was so excited to bag my groceries and help me to my car. He informed me that he was not allowed to accept tips. “Ready to do sit-ups now?” he grinned.
“Well, we’re in a parking lot, and it really isn’t safe.”
“Don’t be scared. I’ll spot you. There’s a park bench over by the store. That’s where we can do our sit-ups.”
Worried that he could quite possibly throw a tantrum if I said no, I gently explained that I needed to go pick up my children from school and didn’t think I had enough time. Luckily, he accepted that and asked when I’d be back and would I be wearing the Winnie the Hoo shirt. As I got in my car and he walked back toward the store, he turned back several times to wave at me, his “friend,” calling, “Bye, Buddy!”
I guess he considered me his friend because I gave him a smile and took a minute to talk to him. I treated him with respect. Maybe he doesn’t get that too often.
I thought of him the rest of the day and several times since. He reminded me how important a smile is. How easy it is to get bogged down with the silly things that annoy me in life. How crucial it is to focus on the good things I have. Healthy children. A hard-working husband who treats me well. A close family and lots of real friends.
This special young man taught me to SIT UP and take notice … Whenever I get stressed about my kids, I’m going to do a few sit-ups and remind myself that my family and I are healthy and don’t face the many challenges that he does.
Anyone want to do sit-ups too? I’ll spot you.
The World of Author/Mom Alicia Murphy! 