People talk to me. Maybe it’s because I’m small and seemingly non-threatening (little do they know!) — whatever the reason, I can be anywhere and random folks’ll share very personal stories.
Like today, I was out and about finding the perfect plastic containers to organize old files and financial documents that aren’t supposed to be thrown out — I’m not sure if the rule is to keep them for seven years or ten years, so I’ve settled on forever, just to be safe.
I’ve lived in the same house since 1985 and have a LOT of paid bills and receipts and I’ve saved them all, because you never know when you need to find the receipt for a chair we purchased in 1987. Even if we don’t have the chair anymore. Is anyone whispering “hoarder” yet?
That’s another day’s post about my office purge, and it’ll be complete with pics.
Today, I found perfectly sized plastic containers with locking handles at Target because I hate Walmart. Standing in line to purchase them, the clerk was making every mistake in the book ringing up my THREE ITEMS. First, she only charged me for one box which would have been cool, then she corrected her mistake when I said, “Is that the price for all of them?”
Staring off into space when I asked, “Do I need to press a button for credit, not debit?” was slightly troublesome and weird, but I was having a happy day and repeated my question, thinking perhaps she was hard of hearing.
This was no twenty-something with a bad attitude at her first job. This was a lady in her mid-to-late sixties and you could tell by her wrinkles and gray hair that life had not been too kind to her. Here she was, working at a minimum wage job, standing on her feet for hours, when she should have been at a book club or gardening or anywhere but wearing that unflattering red t-shirt. Ya know?
Tears slowly filled her eyes and made their way down her cheek.
“I’m sorry”, she said. “I’m not really ‘with it’ today.”
“My best friend just called me to say that her dog died suddenly and while she was taking him to be buried, her car blew up, and to make matters worse, she’s being evicted from her apartment.”
She said, “It’s hard to keep my mind on anything but thinking about her. She loved her dog more than anything. How much pain can one person bear?”
I was sooo glad that I hadn’t been my snarky/bitchy/impatient self. (At times I feel that everyone was put on this earth to serve me (princess complex) and I’ll admit to acting a teensy weensy beeyotchy.)
I racked my brain to come up with an appropriate consoling response. What was the right thing to say in a situation like this? I felt so bad for her, her friend, and the dog. I told her that she was obviously a great friend to someone who must be a wonderful person to feel that kind of love for her dog. It’s all I could come up with at the spur of the moment.
This brief interaction made me pause and think about life and what’s important and somewhere in all of that, there’s a lesson to be learned.
What’s the lesson learned?
1 Sometimes, life sucks.
2 Sometimes, it’s not all about the shoes.
(Come on, you didn’t really think I was gonna get all preachy, did ya???)
People talk to you. Seems to me that’s a reflection of your inviting nature. Don’t we gravitate where we’re welcome. Reminded me of that post you wrote about the meeting with some of your blogger friends which didn’t turn out all that well. Probably wasn’t a very inviting energy happening. Just thinking out loud, my friend. 😉
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Hmmm, now you’ve really given me something to think about, in spite of my glib writing, yes, I did feel little and diminished almost — like I was less successful and hmmm, now why did you go and make me start thinking!!??? You are a wise woman 🙂
On Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 4:35 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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We write something deep and think it’s glib. We comment we feel less than but people gravitate to us. You know if someone wrote that to you, you’d probably be extremely supportive, authentically supportive, seeing their inner nature, based on how they shine, how they make you feel around them. It’s not hard to see another’s heart, nature. Much harder to judge ourselves, which I think “we” tend to do with a negative slant, unless we’re a little narcissistic. Just my thought fwiw (for what it’s worth, lol). xoxo
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I think I was feeling jealous of what they’ve accomplished but I hear ya, I hear ya loud and clear! You are a dear, sweet, perceptive lady 🙂 Thank you.
On Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 5:41 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I think people give off certain vibes,and I’ve always known that beneath that smartass exterior you have a good heart,R. That poor woman must have been bursting; good thing for her you DO care, or you could have gotten her fired, and she trusted that you wouldn’t.
Fair, no, life is certainly not anywhere near fair.
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Sounds like that’s all you really can do in situation like that with a stranger.
Well done, Seashells.
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Thanks, Guapster. It did cause me to experience a momentary appreciation for all that I have.
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:17 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Oh no, you had a bad experience meeting bloggers? I avoid Walmart like the plague as well. We have a running joke in my family that when my mum says she met someone new we ask who their grandmother is. Because people, knowing her for 5 seconds, will tell her their life history! Never fails.
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It wasn’t a bad experience per se, they were very nice, but all so successful in monetizing their blog that I didn’t have much to relate to as I’m fairly new to the blogging world. It made me feel very inferior –like a loser, and had me questioning why I’m even doing this. Would I like to make $$? Of course, but I don’t like to have my writing censored. I think I’d rather sell my novel than become a brand ambassador, but maybe I’m only saying that because no one has asked me to become a BA, ha ha! So, people talk to your mom, too, how cool!
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:06 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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This goes back to a post I did recently about asking for advice on how to take my blog to the next level. It would be great to generate income but not lose the hey I’m still human and I’m interested in what you are writing bit.
Yeah, it’s kind of funny with my mum. She has no idea why it happens. 🙂
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exactly. It does seem like they switch to generic corporate and lose their personality that drew you to them in the first place.
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:26 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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And I don’t want to do that! I suppose make the income on the sly so it doesn’t bother anyone!
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there seems to be a lot of competition for those $ — I’m still trying to find my niche and increase numbers. It’s all in the stats.
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:31 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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That’s the first bit. I know I need more exposure so I just keep looking to improve, find my voice, and be patient. And dedicate some time every day if possible. So we’ll see what happens! Fingers crossed for both of us. 🙂
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Yes, fingers crossed! Have to say I love your title. It sends a clear message and that’s excellent!
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:35 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Thanks! 🙂 Yours as well. That is what caught my eye as I was poking about in the blogging world. How do you not check it out?
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So true! We are just trying to navigate through the blogging waters as best we can. nautical reference, get it? 🙂
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 1:22 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Nice 😄
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OK, my post for tomorrow is about hoarding, sort of – just so you know. 🙂 Great minds think alike.
And I know that you know that life isn’t just about the shoes. I’m sure the lady felt better just telling someone. A listening ear is often all that’s needed.
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Ha ha ha, I laugh as I’m still in my office right this minute, throwing more crap away and organizing all my seashells and sewing stuff. Let me ask you a question…do you think I need to save the box that WinFax came in from the computer we don’t even have anymore??? Just need clarification 🙂
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 3:53 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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You shouldn’t ask me about throwing anything away. I get rid of stuff that nobody’s even used yet LOL. There was that shoe incident that hubby will never let me live down… 🙂
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Too funny. It actually causes me pain to throw empty boxes away. 🙂
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 5:44 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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LOL you and my husband both. I was organizing the office and I literally found some. He collects them. Guess what? Now they are gone. I know I’ll hear about that when he gets back. That’s what he gets for leaving me to my own devices…
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OH NO! I got soo mad at J when he threw out some boxes from the garage, I had told him not to, and then when we went on our trip I was looking for them to organize some of our canned food and he said he threw them out and i had SUCH a hissy fit. I felt so betrayed. 🙂
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 6:04 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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That is exactly what is going to happen. I am predicting it now. Will I put them back? Nope. Now if they were your boxes, I’d keep them forever.
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Oh, thank you so much. That makes me very happy! I know we would need them for something.Someday. I’m putting the finishing touches on my officepurgepost.
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 6:49 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I’ll even send you my husband’s empty boxes LOL.
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I’ll store them here in case he wants them. 🙂
On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 9:34 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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LOL
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Oh my gosh. I feel so awful in situations like that. I just want to wrap the person up in a big hug, you know?
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I totally know, or I felt like giving her some money, it was awkward, but it happens fairly often, I should have a script!
On Wed, Sep 11, 2013 at 1:20 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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