It was a typical day at Target for one mother, with her 1 1/2 year old having a meltdown in the cart and a long day of work behind her. She found a line with just one person ahead of her and began organizing her items on the conveyor, not realizing that the person ahead of her was an elderly woman paying for her items with change and wanting to purchase each separately. At first, the mother was frustrated with this inconvenience, but what she witnessed next changed her perspective entirely.
The young employee assisting the elderly woman was patient and kind, helping her count her change and even going out of his way to get her a reusable bag and repackaging her items. He never once displayed impatience or annoyance, and the mother realized that her daughter was witnessing an important lesson in kindness and patience from a complete stranger.
Feeling grateful for this lesson, the mother thanked the employee for teaching them about patience and kindness and even sought out the manager of the store to share her appreciation for his behavior. The mother left Target with a cart full of items but, more importantly, a heart full of gratitude for the invaluable lesson she and her daughter had learned.
This story is a reminder that sometimes the inconveniences we encounter in our daily lives can teach us valuable lessons. We may have a timeline or agenda in mind, but it is important to take a step back and appreciate the acts of kindness and patience displayed by those around us. The young employee at Target, Ishmael, serves as a shining example of the type of person we should all strive to be – someone who treats everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of the situation.
In a world where we often hear negative news and stories of people mistreating each other, it is refreshing to hear a story of someone going above and beyond to help someone in need. This story is a testament to the fact that a small act of kindness can go a long way and leave a lasting impact on those who witness it.
So, if you ever find yourself at the Glendale Target, be sure to give Ishmael a smile and a nod. Let him know that his actions did not go unnoticed and that the world could use more people like him. Let us all strive to be a little more patient and kind, and make the world a better place, one small act of kindness at a time.