Silent Helper

Sitting in my car in the grocery store parking lot, trying to remember what was on my grocery list that I had left at home, a young man pulled up next to me and parked.

He got out and went around to the passenger side of the car and helped a very frail, elderly woman out. She swept his helping hand away from her as she wobbled toward the store. The young man just followed her.

Later in the store, I saw them again. She was looking over the meat counter as the young man stood nearby. He never hurried her or tried to assist in the selection. She finally chose some pork chops and he took them to their grocery cart.

As she pushed the cart towards the dairy counter, the young man just followed her. Anyone who saw them would have known he knew his purpose was to help if needed, otherwise let her enjoy her outing.

Loading up my own groceries into the trunk, I saw the woman again wobbling toward the car as the young man followed, carrying her groceries.

He never said anything, but anyone could tell this woman was someone very special to him. He had probably sat at her table for many years and today, he was going to enjoy some pork chops.