From the parking lot I can hear a familiar clanking, the sound of a bell being rung with enthusiasm, and as I walk towards the door I see two senior citizens standing their post beside the bright red Salvation Army kettle. I'm on my phone trying to read what I wrote at 2:am, but happen to notice one of them has an oxygen tank and the other one isn't exactly young..... yet they are, patiently ringing and waiting for people to notice them. Like everyone else walking into a grocery store on the day before Thanksgiving, all of the bodies marching past are like robots just following each other, kind of like a parade of ants, either looking at a list in their hand or staring down at their phones.
As I pass, I briefly look up and see one of the guardians of the red kettle smiling at me, and instantly I feel selfish. He's probably been standing there all day smiling at people and most of us aren't even noticing. I put my phone in my pocket, backtrack a couple of steps and pull out a few dollars to put into the kettle. The gentleman's face proceeds to light up like a Christmas tree, he grins from ear to ear, and with genuine holiday spirit, enthusiastically wishes me a blessed Thanksgiving. I smile back, wishing him the same; grateful for his cheerful message and sincerity. Maybe I should look up from my phone a little more often.
community • marketing • small business advocate • car lover
salt life • believer that "together we accomplish more"
