The Safeway parking lot was quite full; I parked at the end of a long row. As I walked toward the store, a man finished trunk-stashing his groceries and began the long trek to return his cart to the front of the building. Without thinking I said, “I’m on my way in; let me take that for you.” His face flashed surprise, gratitude; a smile, acceptance: “Sure! Thanks!”
As I shoved his metal bag-buggy into the cart-holder, it occurred to me that we shoppers could be doing this for each other all the time, forming these grocery cart brigades. A simple act of assistance; it made someone else’s life easier for 30 seconds.