Early yesterday morning, I ventured to a local grocery store. A few people (I'm talking five tops) were also pushing their freshly sanitized cart through the aisles, mindfully working our way around the dedicated workers who were stocking ravaged shelves.
My route to the fresh produce took me passed the meat section. The butchers were placing signs, "Limited Time" and "Buy one Get One Free", on the display case of pasture raised chicken and beef. One butcher commented to another, "Well, the main crowds won't show 'til lunchtime." The other man grunted in acknowledgement.
I had thoughts of what may happen when more people heard about the sale, no less the fact that a store had fresh meat available - a stampede, grabbing, bullying - all to get what they probably don't really need out of a panicked, fear-driven mindset.
Though I didn't need all the extra meat that such a sale would grant me, I picked up chicken, ground beef, and a roast, noting the older woman tentatively looking at the butcher's offerings. Her aura was pale - the root chakra colors barely discernible. In my mind, I heard a soft feminine voice ask, "Please help". Placing the meat in my cart, I proceeded to get the produce that I had planned.
After checkout, I sought out the woman. She had moved only a few feet from the meat counter and was poking an arthritic bent finger around a well-worn change purse, looking into it, then glancing back at the meat selection.
I approached her and placed the bag of meats (and eggs and pasta which were also offered at "community aid" prices), into her cart. As she watched my gesture, her eyes welled with tears. It was then that I recognized her. The mother of a former client A client whom loved and cared for her mother. A client whom had died a year ago.
The woman, at first, did not want to accept the food, graciously saying I should give it to someone who really needs it.
"I'm an old friend of Denise. Your daughter was altruistic and compassionate as well as a dynamo business woman. Please accept the food in her name."
The woman's tears stopped and she smiled wide.
"She was.", replied the elder as she shook her head in acceptance and gratitude.
We parted ways and as I was placing my bags into the car, I saw her speaking with one of her peers. They waved and approached me. Elsa, I now know her name, introduced me to, Betty, whose husband had died last summer. (This, I've learned, is how introductions and conversations can begin among some people who are over 85.) It came to light that Elsa and Betty were friends who have not seen each other in some months. They bemoaned it not being wise to embrace during "this crazy thing", as they referred to the social distancing constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic. Betty was struggling since the death of Lou and when Elsa learned of her dear friend's plight, gave her half of the grocery items that I had gifted her.
Elsa's aura was brighter now. The shaky and diminished root chakra was more settled and her heart shone brilliantly. She told me that even though current events have put her in a place of nutritional need, what truly hurt her the most was that they made it nearly impossible for her to help people. Clearly, the apple that was Denise, did not fall far from the Elsa tree.
We agreed to keep doing the little things we could to help people and to meet for a vodka, "Or three!", chimed Betty, once this craziness passes.
I left them while they chatted and devised a plan to pool their resources, cook, and disperse small meals to their friends.
Spread ripples of compassion folks! And always be kind.
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty,
If it is full, may it be again
(Ripple, The Grateful Dead)
