A Bargain

We arrived at the "express checkout" at nearly the same time. I let her go ahead since she seemed to have fewer items than I. She also had a little boy in her cart, and I, somehow, had made it to WalMart all alone.

She had only 5 or 6 items. Mostly essentials, like cheese. But I couldn't help but notice the little plastic box with Buzz Lightyear undies in it. I didn't think too much of it, but I noticed it. I was thinking about my kids at home, hoping that my phone didn't die before I got there. I was hoping that my purchase was going to make it within the budget.

You see, while I was looking for some bedspreads for my boys, I happened upon THE PERFECT bedspread for our guest bed. It is in Simon's room, and I am in the process of transforming his room from dinosaurs to more of a jungle theme. He's got the vintage bright green shag carpet, the giant Ikea leaf and jungle vines, and we just got some awesome dark brown curtains to go with it. So when I saw this green and brown jungle-ish looking bedspread, I just had to get it! Thankfully, I found some bedding for the boys as well.

Then I noticed the little boy. He was probably 3. He had a cowlick in front that made his hair stick up all over. He was wearing brown plaid shorts and a purple T-shirt with a little brown bear on it. He was hiding his eyes behind his hands. He moved his hands away and smiled at me. I smiled back. He did it again and giggled. He tried to get his mom's attention to tell her about it. She was busy with the purchase. I saw her hand the box of undies back to the clerk. "I guess I can't get these today. I'm so sorry."
"No problem", said the clerk.
It IS kind of embarrassing. I know I've had to do it many times. You think--you hope you'll have enough money to cover what's in the cart, but as you watch the items total up you realize something will have to go back on the shelf. It is always the luxury item--not the cheese, but the item you were actually most excited about getting.

But when the little boy realized what was going on, his little hand reached out toward the package.
"We'll get those another time", said mom.
He didn't scream or yell or fuss, but his little hands went back to cover his eyes...And he wept.
My heart broke, and I could tell that his mom's did as well. She finished her purchase and pushed her cart forward a little way. Then she stopped for a moment to comfort her son while the clerk started ringing up my comforter sets.
I almost let myself get distracted with helping the clerk find the barcodes on my products. I almost let myself think, "Aw, too bad." and go on with my own purchase. But suddenly, I asked the clerk, "How much were those underpants?" She didn't know. I said, "Hurry, ring them up for me." She hurried. Now we were in on it together. I rushed up and handed the package to the teary little fella. His mom looked up, breathless. "You didn't--Oh, Thank you!"

"That's okay, I know how important Buzz Lightyear is."

And she pushed her happy little guy out of the store.

I completed my purchase and headed to my car. You might say I had a spring in my step. I definitely had a twinkle in my eye. And joy in my heart.
Being able to give is such a gift!

I might have gone a teeny weeny bit over my budget. I might be returning one of my items to the store (thankfully not that beauty of a bedspread).

But it was the happiest $4.50 I think I have ever spent.


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