Through the Eyes of a Delivery Goddess |
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After working a couple of years in retail, I vowed to never shop the day before a holiday, (or ON a holiday). And yet, because I took a friend to a doctor appointment on Christmas Eve this year, I found myself in two stores this morning... Christmas Eve. Now, in my defense, Bob and I work 365 days per year, so holidays don't exactly have the magic they did when we were kids.  However, like I said, after being on the other side of the counter, I really should NOT have been out shopping for anything with a non-emergency-status. You've all been shopping in the town where you grew up, and have peered around each corner making sure you don't bump into someone you would rather avoid, haven't you? Well, I avoid the stores close to where we live now, so I don't bump into folks I see at my day job - sometimes, you just don't feel like being nice outside of the office, ya-know? Actually, it seems I'm always late, and would rather not spend time visiting or catching up with someone I haven't seen in years (or hours). I usually go somewhere away from old stomping grounds, old home town areas and current home town stores. But, my friend Miss M lives in the midst of an old stomping ground, so I decided to make a quick stop to get ONE item at the ailing Kmart. I detoured into the Staples in the same plaza to get a case of mini-bottled water for our garage refridgerator and gel pens that will write in the cold during paper delivery, and of course, bumped into someone I worked with about twenty-five years ago, (I think). She remembered my name, but I had NO clue who she was. I remembered her face, but I'm not even certain at which job we were co-workers. How embarrassing! She asked me about my husband (I'm sure she never even knew my first husband, much less my current husband, which made me wonder if she truly remembered just how she knew me as well.) I replied that my husband was "great" and asked if she was doing typical last minute shopping, or was just making fun of people who were. She laughed and said she was picking up last minute things for family who hadn't originally planned to stop by this year, so I told her I was getting things I would've gotten, no matter what day of the year it was. We shared a "Merry Christmas" greeting, and moved on. I ended up with an armload by the time I hit the check-out ... probably the main reason I don't go shopping very often. My trip into Kmart proved to be equally as perplexing, embarrassing and perhaps, enlightening. I walked straight into the Christmas Decoration department to get my "one item" and while I was choosing,  a gentleman in a hat got my attention by making one of those motions with his body, bending over and making an attempt to get into my line of vision. He asked, "Terri?" I said, "Well, actually, ... yes, I am." He said "I know you from high school (he named it, so I'd know he was legit, but I thought I wouldn't divulge that for the Google Spiders to read). You graduated in 1981, right?" I said, "wow, yes, you have a phenominal memory." I was thinking to myself "this must have been a teacher... ???" until he finished his sentence, "I'm two years younger than you. I mean, I knew you, but you didn't know me; I was an underclassman."  I said, "Well, I'm sorry, I'm at a disadvantage here..." He interrupted, (and those of you who know me well, know me well enough to know this pains me to repeat, but, these are the facts), "you still as great as you did in high school." I said again, "I'm sorry ... ", I laughed nervously - this guy didn't look at ALL familiar - and said, "I'm sure Santa will be generous to you this year." He had an older gentleman with him that I'd say was the appropriate age to be a parent, but I STILL thought this guy was a good fifteen or more years older than me. He stood in front of me for another awkward three or four seconds, then wished me a Merry Christmas and turned away. I have NO clue. None.For the "enlighten" part of this trip, I was standing in the check-out with my ONE ITEM, minding my own business, and the woman behind me started to speak. She asked if the item in my hand completed my shopping. I smiled and took a deep breath so I wouldn't unload my frustration with wasted time and broken silence on her. "I shop all year. I am late for everything in my life and find it difficult to buy a bunch of things at one specific time of year. I'm greatful my husband has a greater spirit than I." I forced another smile. She said, "One grandson is in California at Fort (something-or-other... never heard of it). Another is in Kuwait, and another in Afghanistan. We sent them each of them their own miniature tree with lights and some small ornaments, a tin of cookies and pictures of he (pointing to her husband) and I." I found the smile on my face came more easily with my reply, "That is an AWESOME idea! I would never have thought of that!" She went on to tell me about preparing for a large party at their home tonight, and the other grandchildren they were excited about watching while they opened gifts.  From the Delivery Goddess and Curbside Etiquette |