Gelson's Cough Remedy

On Day 12 of “home sick with a cough” I was finally strong enough to leave the house. So, I masked up and ventured out to Gelson’s at 8am. 

I always start my shopping at the deli counter to grab my father’s favorites, like Diablo chicken and avocado ceviche. It oddly delights me to be the first customer to break into those perfect mounds of freshly made foods. 

Then I head over to produce and pick up my staples from sweet potatoes and dates, to pineapple chunks and Granny Smith apples. As I pushed the cart towards the spuds, an employee burst out of the back room singing along to the disco music piped throughout the store. 

I bumped into him near the apple display talking to a co-worker about Yom Kippur. I joined in the conversation and explained that the next holiday is Rosh Hashanah. The co-worker asked if I could teach the meaning of the holiday. 

“It’s the Jewish New Year but more importantly it’s the opportunity to check in with yourself to review how you could have made kinder choices. For example, when you’re at Gelson’s and you have a full cart, do you look behind you to see if someone with just a few items would like to go ahead of you? It’s my belief that someone in need of a couple of things is either heading to work or forgot an ingredient for a recipe. They’re in a rush. Just because it’s your turn doesn’t mean you have to take it.”

I went on to explain how the two holidays connect. He thanked me for my time, and I continued to shop. As always, I grabbed two Gelson's Almond Sea Salt Dark Chocolate bars on the way to check out. 

As I stood waiting for the customer ahead of me to complete his sale, I thought about the 18oz. Peet’s Big Bang coffee that was on sale for the same price as the 10oz. bag. I told Lamsi, the cashier, that I’d be right back as I dashed to the end cap to pick up a second bag. 

By the time I returned, she had already started ringing up my cart. There was a gentleman wearing a Bloomingdale’s employee badge standing with a hand basket in my line. I apologized to him that Lamsi had started my transaction because I would have let him go ahead of me. 

I then told her to add his items to my bill so he could leave for work. He said it wasn’t necessary for me to treat for his bottle of Coke, Cup Noodles, and regular size bag of peanut M&M’s.

I explained that I haven’t had an opportunity to help anyone since I’ve been sick at home and that I’d really appreciate it if he’d let me. 

I said, “when you do a kindness it comes back. Maybe I’ll be rewarded with good health.”

He thanked me for lunch and said I was nice. I reassured him that I’m just a product of good parenting. 

The outing to the market really knocked me out so I spent the rest of the day in and out of sleep on the couch. 

This morning, I woke up not coughing. 

May 5786 bless you with numerous opportunities to be kind, an awareness that miracles happen daily, and tremendous health.