This letter was sent to Cash-Wise Foods on 32nd Avenue South in Fargo, ND:

Hello,

I just wanted to let you know about the exceptional service my father received in the West Fargo Cash Wise around 6pm on Monday, July 24 around 6pm.

My dad is 82 and can tire quickly. While we were browsing in the meat section, he asked if there was a place to sit. There was not, so I suggested he sit on the edge of the freezer for a bit. He did. I walked over to get a bag of Jo Jos from the deli. While I waited at the deli, I saw one of your employees talking to my dad, still sitting on the freezer. She quickly went in the back and got him a chair, then quickly left. As I brought the Jo Jos over, she was rushing back with a cup of icewater from the Caribou. The whole time she seemed genuinely happy to do it. I was impressed with her customer service, and loved how she showed hustle! I haven’t moved that quickly since high school gym class!

I didn’t get her name. She was staffing the Caribou. Mid-50’s, not quite shoulder length hair, lovely lady, charming demeanor.

I’ve had nothing but great service from your employees. Because my dad lives right behind the store in New Perspective, he sometimes walks over alone. It is nice to know that when I’m not there with him, that he still has all of you watching out for him. This, however, went above and beyond anything I would expect.

Sincerely,

Justin Smith

That was me. I wanted to share this, not as a pat on the back for myself or any sort of public recognition. I wanted to share it because it seems to be such a rare occasion that we are kind to each other.  I remember this day, and it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for me.  I was simply returning to the Caribou Kiosk after I took the garbage out.

I happened to glance to my left and saw an elderly gentleman with a walker sitting on the side of the refrigerator where we display the meat.  I walked over to him and asked if there was anything I could do for him. He said he just needed to sit down for a moment, as it was difficult for him to walk.  I told him I would find him a chair so his “tuchus wouldn’t get cold from sitting on the ledge of the refrigerator,” and he chuckled.

I got him a chair and a glass of water.  That’s it…a chair and a glass of water.  It didn’t take much time, and it made me happy to make someone’s day a little brighter. I wouldn’t have done it any other way – it’s how I roll!

The fact that this man took the time to write and send this letter to Cash-Wise gave me pause, “WOW!  What a wonderful thing to do! That is super exciting,” was my first thought, …my second, “Is this so rare nowadays that it was seen as exceptional”?

I thought we were supposed to be kind to each other – not just people we know and love, but people we don’t know as well.  Where did this get lost?  Why don’t we see each other anymore? 

All we have to do is look.  We are all around us, physically ill, emotionally wounded, lost, and scared.  Any one of us has struggled with these things at one point or another in our lives, and know how it feels.  It is so easy to share a smile, to listen to, respect, and support each other…I wonder why we make it so hard?

Here’s a challenge for everyone:  Just for today, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”.  I wonder what kind of magic we can make when we all work together for the greatest good of all?  Maybe, just maybe, we can make the world a better place…

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

  Make the world a better place, shine your light wherever you go!

p.s.  Because I have no way of responding directly, if anyone out there can get this message to Justin Smith, it would be much appreciated:

“It was a pleasure to meet you and your father!  Blessings to you both, and thank you for your kindness.

Namaste,

Paula’”