Of any kind!
With dreary spirits, I drag my legs into the store, embarking on the tedious trudge toward the stacked boxes of kitty litter. The mere thought of transporting those boxes from the store to my basement fills me with dread.
As I stop and stare at the towering stack of kitty litter, a strong young man enters the aisle from the far end. What perfect timing! Secretly, I hope he can somehow read my mind and gallantly dash over to offer his assistance. Each kitty litter box weighs a staggering 22.6796 kilograms, feeling to me like lifting cement cinder blocks. I need two boxes. He draws nearer. I have mentally prepared an enthusiastic response of gratitude for his imminent act of kindness. However, he pauses to inspect an item on the shelf. I dramatically take a deep breath and let out a groan. Both actions intended to attract his attention. Then bending at the knees like the powerlifter, I am not, I pick up the first box, fully anticipating his arrival to lend a hand. Holding onto the box for too long is not an option. I need some swing momentum to clear the edge of the oversized shopping buggy.
Exerting all my strength, I heave the box, aiming to swing it high enough to clear the cart’s edge. The bottom corner of the box nicks the cart, causing it to roll away ever so slightly. A flash of panic engulfs me as I envision kitty litter spilling all over the floor if I miss the cart.
I need another box.
The strong, young guy must be drawing near. My previously preformulated response of gratitude starts to fade into a sulk. With a pause and a sweeping scan of the stack of identical boxes, I take another dramatic breath in, still hoping for his help.
But to my surprise, there is nothing! My peripheral vision does not spot him. He must be behind me.
I hoist the second box, preparing to swing it, and just as it hangs in mid-air, I hear a tiny voice softly squeak, “Can I help you?”
Unable to stop my swing midway, I plunk the box into the cart, causing a rattling thud.
Although masked with a polite smile, my confusion is evident as I turn around. I notice the strong young man passing by me. He, too, wears a smile, directed at the adorable frail senior lady standing there with a cane, who had just offered her assistance.
I thanked her for her kindness.
Walking away with a smile, I realize that she had picked up something much heavier than those boxes—she had lifted my shopping spirits!