notes from the checkout

Remember how my last note talked about me being nice. Well, yesterday I didn't feel so nice at the checkstand. One of the customers didn't understand that a coupon that says limit one purchase of two doesn't mean that you can use multiple coupons for the same deal. Another didn't understand why her phone number wasn't immediately in the database when she had just gotten our loyalty card on her last trip. I felt like growling but took a deep breath between customers. It was not an ideal shift. I bought some chocolate soy milk (oh the joys of lactose intolerance) and had a big hot mug of it at home. This was after coming home to no parking place in front of my house and venting to Mr. D. All was well after a few games of Tetris, the hot chocolate, and a good night's sleep.

Notes from the checkout

Yesterday a customer felt sorry for me because I have to be nice. If I didn't like working with the public I wouldn't be in retail. I enjoy my job except when I get grouches for customers or if I'm having a bad day. Other than that I get to play store and get paid for it. I work near where I live and everyone sooner or later needs to buy groceries. I see people from the neighborhood that I haven't seen for years and get to re-awaken old friendships and ties. Being nice to people isn't so bad. For the most part they're nice back.

Mrs. Steele's Song

A few nights ago while lying in bed my mind traveled to a distant song. I couldn't remember the words or the tune. All I could remember was the phrase "somewhere inside of me". It was a song that comforted me after my mom died--remembering she still lived inside of me, in my heart. I've lost others and they also live in my heart.
Mrs. Steele's Song by Reilly and Maloney is the one I was thinking of. It's about a special relationship the song writer had with an adult woman as a child. I had a special lady in my life. Her name was Lena. She taught me how to knit and fed me cake and coffee. I still think of Lena when I knit. Was there some special adult in your life who helped make you the person you are?