Throughout our lives, we are constantly reminded that it is family that is the most important part of us. Nothing else is more important than that of family and, from what I can see, most people believe this. And it is during the holiday seasons when this feeling of family is most apparent. There is the planning and shopping for those special delights for the holiday menu along with the anticipation of the gathering of family. And when everything is done, a celebration takes place. A celebration of family.
But the celebration of family is not just for those holiday seasons, however, it also gives way to those special days that we like to set aside to commemorate parents, grandparents and veterans. And anyone else we might feel deserving of getting noticed. Although it may seem hard to imagine, working in a grocery store gives one a lot of incite as to how these special moments come together.
This weekend, everyone celebrated Mother's Day. Be it shopping for family cookouts, potted flowers from the Garden Center, sweet treats from the Bakery or cut flowers from the Floral Department, everyone was out shopping to create a special day of celebration. One by one, dads would come to the store with the kids and together they would look over all of the special treats made available. But, they weren't just shopping, instead they were creating a memory.
"What do you think mom would like?" would be dad's question of the day, as they peered over the floral coolers filled with cut flowers of all colors. And if that were not enough, then there were all of the cut arrangements in vases and baskets, each with shinny ribbons, accentuated with greenery and baby's breath.
"I want that one." the little girl would respond, as she took her little finger and pointed to the big arrangement filled with roses and tulips.
"Okay." said dad.
"I want to get one, too." said the little guy standing on his tip toes as though trying to get a better look.
"Guys, don't you think that we have enough for mom?" dad would plead.
"No, I want to get one too!" would come the response.
"Okay, pick one that you like." dad would say, knowing that he was clearly out voted.
Taking a couple minutes, the little guy would look over each of the bouquets and potted flowers until he was sure that he had found the perfect gift for mom. And with his choice, finally decided, he would point. Dad would collect the chosen prize and with arms full of flowers, together they would all make their way to the checkout lanes. Now while this is going on, it is always amusing to watch the guys as they line up in the greeting card aisle. There the masses stand reviewing card after card in order to find that one certain card which will provide the message that will relate the feelings they wish to express to the ladies in their lives.
But then there is the other side of this holiday, remembering those that are not with their families anymore. Not far from the Floral Department is a display of plastic wreathes and flowers for the cemetery. The customers looking over this selection do not talk, they just look and then choose a piece. These are the people that will, not only celebrate this day, but will also have to remember those that they cannot share the day with anymore. For them, it is a day of sadness. You learn a lot about human nature in this store. And the one thing that you learn, is that we all share the same feelings down deep. Be it joy or sadness we all feel the same on these special days.
In watching the customers I find that it is not the gift so much as it is the process of choosing the gift. And it is definitely not the sale of the item, but, instead, it is what the item represents.
So, like the little guy who picks out the special flower to give mom - so did we, once upon a time. For there was one moment in our lives, when we held out that chosen gift to a special lady and in return we received that special smile and hug. And for that one moment time stood still and a memory was made.
A memory that would last a life time.
.
But the celebration of family is not just for those holiday seasons, however, it also gives way to those special days that we like to set aside to commemorate parents, grandparents and veterans. And anyone else we might feel deserving of getting noticed. Although it may seem hard to imagine, working in a grocery store gives one a lot of incite as to how these special moments come together.
This weekend, everyone celebrated Mother's Day. Be it shopping for family cookouts, potted flowers from the Garden Center, sweet treats from the Bakery or cut flowers from the Floral Department, everyone was out shopping to create a special day of celebration. One by one, dads would come to the store with the kids and together they would look over all of the special treats made available. But, they weren't just shopping, instead they were creating a memory.
"What do you think mom would like?" would be dad's question of the day, as they peered over the floral coolers filled with cut flowers of all colors. And if that were not enough, then there were all of the cut arrangements in vases and baskets, each with shinny ribbons, accentuated with greenery and baby's breath.
"I want that one." the little girl would respond, as she took her little finger and pointed to the big arrangement filled with roses and tulips.
"Okay." said dad.
"I want to get one, too." said the little guy standing on his tip toes as though trying to get a better look.
"Guys, don't you think that we have enough for mom?" dad would plead.
"No, I want to get one too!" would come the response.
"Okay, pick one that you like." dad would say, knowing that he was clearly out voted.
Taking a couple minutes, the little guy would look over each of the bouquets and potted flowers until he was sure that he had found the perfect gift for mom. And with his choice, finally decided, he would point. Dad would collect the chosen prize and with arms full of flowers, together they would all make their way to the checkout lanes. Now while this is going on, it is always amusing to watch the guys as they line up in the greeting card aisle. There the masses stand reviewing card after card in order to find that one certain card which will provide the message that will relate the feelings they wish to express to the ladies in their lives.
But then there is the other side of this holiday, remembering those that are not with their families anymore. Not far from the Floral Department is a display of plastic wreathes and flowers for the cemetery. The customers looking over this selection do not talk, they just look and then choose a piece. These are the people that will, not only celebrate this day, but will also have to remember those that they cannot share the day with anymore. For them, it is a day of sadness. You learn a lot about human nature in this store. And the one thing that you learn, is that we all share the same feelings down deep. Be it joy or sadness we all feel the same on these special days.
In watching the customers I find that it is not the gift so much as it is the process of choosing the gift. And it is definitely not the sale of the item, but, instead, it is what the item represents.
So, like the little guy who picks out the special flower to give mom - so did we, once upon a time. For there was one moment in our lives, when we held out that chosen gift to a special lady and in return we received that special smile and hug. And for that one moment time stood still and a memory was made.
A memory that would last a life time.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment