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Reiss’s Pieces
Reiss’s Pieces
I had such an interesting thing happen to me recently that I decided I should share it with you. I decided that I had to come to Montpelier/Barre and do a little early Christmas shopping and to go alone, without Malcolm, for the first time since my stroke. I never have enough money to buy what I want to for my “loved” ones. So, I always start early (actually, right after the ribbon and paper has been thrown away) and this year with all that has affected my life I knew that early would be the only way I could have the holiday that I want to have. So, here is what happened…
I went to T.J. Maxx to just “look around” and found many things that I wanted and that were at a price that I could afford. Since I was by myself, no Malcolm and no helpful child, I was able to really look around and then fill my cart with all sorts of things. And because I was so pleased with what I found, I probably filled my cart with more than I will actually need. But I also know that I have loved ones who have birthdays starting in January! Which makes it almost impossible for me to get them something, especially right after Christmas. But this particular shopping spree was just terrific. I found all sorts of things that I think will not only work for Christmas but if I have something left, and I know that I will, they will fit neatly into a birthday slot.
However, by the time I got to the check out counter, my cart was overflowing with heavy and cumbersome items. I didn’t even look at the clothes, these were all kitchen and household items and they were almost impossible to fit into the cart. I thought I was doing O.K. until I decided to buy a big, game box of table hockey and that made it almost impossible to even reach the check out. Now, here is what I really wanted to share with you and for me, it is almost a believe it or not.
When I staggered to the check out, a lovely young woman, who I didn’t recognize or think that I had seen before, was so helpful and pleasant that I immediately relaxed. Fortunately, it wasn’t very busy and so we chatted as she checked out all my items. She shared with me that she had just moved to Williamstown from Randolph and was very happy there. We had what I considered a very pleasant and calming check-out experience. And then she told me that she was going to wait until she had scanned all my items and wrapped them up and then she would come around and help me figure out how to fit them all into my cart. I was really surprised because I don’t think I have ever had a salesperson offer to do that before. And without Malcolm to do all the heavy lifting it was a wonderful offer.
After I paid and she had prepared everything for transport, she came around and put everything in my cart. As I began to thank her, she said that she was going to walk with me to my car and help me load everything into my trunk. I was so surprised that I told her she didn’t need to do that, she had already gone way beyond what I expected when she loaded my cart, but she wouldn’t hear it and she insisted that she would go with me. And she did!! I am not sure if I could have loaded all that heavy stuff myself but if I had tried and dropped some of it, what I considered bargains and terrific gifts would have been history! This terrific young woman made my shopping experience not only one that I probably won’t ever forget, she made it possible for me to do it alone and be very successful.
Now, I don’t know about you, but these days to find someone who is pleasant, helpful and willing to go way beyond what they have to do is amazing. I know that I have shopped in many, many stores, from little convenience stores to luxurious upscale stores and never, ever has anyone gone way beyond what is expected of them to help an old woman! I don’t know this young woman’s name, which is unfortunate because I would like to let T.J. Maxx in Berlin know what an exceptional person they have working at their store. But I really believe that she will be successful in whatever she does for the rest of her life. She went way beyond what was necessary and did so just to be helpful to a person who must have appeared to need help. I just hope that she gets to read this and knows who she is because she did an exceptional deed and made my day possible and problem-free.
And to all the Reiss family and friends, you too, should thank this kindly young person who helped your mother/friend without being asked. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!
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