Rotten Lettuce Does a Soul Good

GRATEFUL GIRL'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The sweetest thing happened to me the other day. I was feeling quite queasy after ingesting some store-bought bagged lettuce that was clearly mismarked in terms of expiration. I should've known better when it sort of slid out of the bag as opposed to falling out lightly in sprigs. Okay, fine, it was a teeny bit on the slimy side and I tried eating it anyway. Blech. That's not the sweet part.

Either way, I was about to pitch the remainder --which is really tough for me because I believe wasting food is a sin-- when my girlfriend explained to me that Giant Eagle stores will honor returns, even on opened food. I was shocked. I went back to the store, bag sheepishly in hand and completely apologetic (why, I'm not certain) as I gently laid the bag on the Customer Service counter.

"I'm sorry to be a bother, I'm not sure you even do this but, this lettuce was bad..." I began to plead my case when the petite, perky little gal standing opposite me cut me off with an apology of her own. "I'm so sorry it was spoiled! Please go get two new bags and if you need to do any other shopping just bring everything right back over to me and I'll be glad to ring you out." And then, she SMILED. At first, I thought it was a setup and they were going to scoop me up into a big bear-trap net and drop me into the Complaint Department basement where I'd never be heard from again.

But, sure enough, not only was I able to do all she said, we then had the friendliest conversation as she processed my new order. "Can you believe these Cavaliers? They are killing me!" I said to my new little friend. After we'd chatted pleasantly about everything from the weather to our kids growing up too fast, I was almost sorry to leave the store. "Thanks for being so nice," I gushed and she replied, "Isn't it sad that we are grateful when we're greeted with pleasantness these days?" Sigh.

Bottom line: Yep, the news headlines stink. Some people out there are doing horrid things. But all you need to do is walk down the road to find that there's still goodness in the world. And I for one, choose to think there are more nice peeps on the planet than not. After all, who knew such a good day could come from a bag of rotten lettuce?
.
Psalm Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22 R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. Ps 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.