I was a strangers last pit stop

I waited as a tall man came up to my register with a basket and a smile on his face. My interaction with him was how it usually goes with every customer. I asked him if he needed bags while I started ringing up and he suggested the Trader Joe’s Breakfast Bag. A fine choice in my opinion. I went to go grab it, failed miserably with my short stature and he waltzed over and used Gods purpose for him to get the bag himself.

That was when the ice broke and a real connection began.

As I began bagging again, he said in a melancholy tone:

“This is actually my last pit stop. This is the food I’m bringing to take with me on my move to Los Angeles.”

Suddenly, this felt like the most important check out experience I’ve ever had. Because it occurred to me that I would be one of the last experiences he would have after living in New York for 25 years.

I began to pack slower.

I asked him for the cliff notes of his life here, what it meant to him and why he’s leaving.

He told me everything.

He didn’t seem sad. He didn’t seem happy either. He just knew that at this point in his life this is what is suppose to happen and he is content. Someday he will be back, that is a part of the plan.

He told me I should just live my life. Do what I want to do. Just be and don’t let anyone stop you.

I told him how great it is going to be. And as a parting gift I wrote safe travels on his receipt.

These days, I don’t say much to customers. In all honesty, it takes a lot out of me. But there are some that you just so happen to strike a conversation with that remind you of the many lives people live. And somehow ours felt connected. I met him at his end and he meets me at my beginning. Both play such an important role in finding each other at such a crossroads.

So if you see this, I hope I gave you the warm send off you deserve. And perhaps I’ll see you again, someone else’s end and another persons beginning.

— The SoCal Girl