why i almost cried at winn dixie

last night, i hit up the grocery store with mom for some last minute christmas goodie ingredients.

side note: anyone else love the tiny carts at inn dixie?? the hubs won't let me get them when we go together, cuz he says they make him feel ridiculous. whatevs.

anyhoo, so i got my tiny cart full of stuff, behind mom in line...when the bagger guy says lane 7 is open. so i toddle (toddle?! is that a word??) on down there, and get in line behind an older guy, probably 60's, with 3 things.

then cashier says she can't ring him up, she's waiting for a lady to get back inside, she ran to her car to get her money...the woman says "she's young, has a baby boy and another little girl."

so we're standing there waiting, and in comes the girl...looking for all the world overwhelmed by trying to find her lost money and dealing with 2 kids under the age of 3.

she tells the cashier to take one of the beef stroganoffs off her bill, she only has $20. the cashier obliges, and the girl goes on her way.

then the older man asks what the lady put back because she couldn't pay for it...and then tells the cashier "put it on my bill" and tells the bag boy "run this out to her and tell her merry christmas."

OMG ya'll, i'm standing there, trying not to tear up because this old guy was just so sweet!! it was probably a $2 box of hamburger helper he paid for...but the rewards he'll get from the universe have infinite value.

no matter what your religious affiliation or beliefs, people like him are really the spirit of christmas. giving with no reservation, and giving to give...not to get anything in return.

i'm gonna try and be a little more like that guy.