Where there's a helpful smile in every aisle!

I have been wanting to blog about this since last week, but family emergencies came up so I am just now getting time to sit down at the computer. On Wednesday of last week I dropped the girls off at their schools and then bubby and I headed to Hy Vee to get some breakfast and stock up on groceries. There were several times during our visit to Hy Vee that I found myself smiling and even giggling. I first went in and ordered some breakfast, sat at a table with bubby, and sipped my coffee. I was sitting right by a table of older men who seem to gather at Hy Vee every morning for coffee (I have seen them there many mornings.) This particular morning I found myself wondering if all of these men knew each other or if they just randomly sat together. I knew that some of them knew each other because of how they conversed but then were those that just approached the table and started in on the small talk. I then found myself feeling bad for the other men who were sitting by themselves and weren't a part of this large table of men. Did they notice that they were not a "part" of the group or did they just go about their day? Did they even care? I felt as though it was high school again when you had the "in" crowd and then those who were left out. I am sure these men were not thinking near as much about their morning routine as I was. As I watched the group of men at the large table their conversations and kindness to one another brought a smile and even a giggle to me as I sat with my little guy. They helped each other to their seats (a couple had canes and one had a walker), pulled their chairs out for one another, grabbed papers for their friends, and shook hands with one another. Their conversations went from the weather, to the news, to medical conditions, to the basketball team, and many other topics. They sure did make retirement look fun. So, I started my grocery shopping with a full tummy and a smile on my face. I was then overwhelmed by the amount of kindness you can experience in what we often think of as a chore...a trip to the grocery store. The workers at Hy Vee are always so willing to go out of their way to help you. I don't think I have been there without being asked several times if I need help, how my day was, or someone commenting on my beautiful children. If you need an item that you can't find the workers not only tell you where the item is, instead they escort you to the area and make sure that you find what you need. My experience has been very different at other stores. I have been to Wal Mart, Schnucks, and others where I could not only not find the item I was looking for, but I couldn't find anyone to help me find the item I couldn't find. UGGHHHH how frustrating that is! That is not the story at Hy Vee. Everyone working is happy and more than willing to help. How refreshing in this often negative world! If you are ever in a bad mood...go to Hy Vee where their truly is a helpful smile in every aisle!