People are Fascinating

As a grocery store cashier (which you have heard about way too much, I know, but it's my life right now, so give me a break) I watch people all day. Hundreds of people. Naturally, I forget most of their faces immediately. Someone will ask me five seconds later what the last customer looked like (if they left something, or something else important), and I will only remember gender, and maybe age-ish. Hair color is asking too much, unless it was a shocking color. Sounds lame, but it's true.
However, some customers really stick in my memory. Either because the way they live makes me re-evaluate my own life, or because they have an awesome story, or both. I thought I could share a couple of the most memorable. Some of this is revised journal entry.
The first was a lady that was obviously a burn victim. Her skin was scarred - looking almost melted like putty or plastic - her fingers were curled or missing, and she was on breathing tubes. She still had most of her hair, and was sweating and puffing, trying to get out her money with her disfigured hands. She mentioned that she was hot all the time since her accident, so I had an opening to ask what had happened. She had worked at ATK - Thiokol, a place near here that makes and tests rocket boosters for space ships. She was a chemical tester. Hundreds of pounds of explosives went off, killing her coworker, and burning 85% of her body. It burned off all of her sweat glands except the ones on top of her head, so sweat pours out of her head constantly. Her body has really lost temperature control. Talk about life changing. But she was so optimistic. I mentioned that she looked like she was doing well for what had happened. She responded "Yes! I am doing so well! I'm walking around! I've been able to meet 3 new grandchildren since the accident. I couldn't have done that if I had died. I'm alive. I am so blessed." I nearly cried at my check stand.
Another day a lady came through who had Breast cancer. She had no hair. The cancer was pretty progressed before they caught it because it was so high that the doctors thought it couldn't be breast cancer, but it was. She was from Wyoming, but has to come to Logan for her chemo. She loves our store, and they have no good stores out there, so she's glad she gets to come out here for her grocery shopping. She said that chemo made her randomly itch on her hands and feet. But she smiled the whole time she talked to me. She was super friendly. She seemed optimistic and genuinely friendly. She even laughed about the itching.
My favorite customers was an adorable old couple. What struck me about them was that they seemed to be soul mates, for real. Their eyes were clear and fully aware of the world, and they stood straight and confident (in contrast with many older people I see). I could tell that they were perfect for each other. As they stood in line they quietly chatted to each other. Often when older couples come through (especially white haired, shrunken ones) they are together out of habit, and because they don't want to be lonely - not because they are still in love. They are friends maybe, but not lovers. This couple was different. They stood next to each other, and just the way they looked at me said they were of one heart and mind. When I told them to have a great day they both look at me with those clear eyes, and in unison said, "Likewise." Then they walked off and continued their quiet conversation. I was totally impressed. I want that in my marriage someday. I want to find a soul mate - someone who I can be of one heart and mind with, someone who I am so comfortable with that we can be introduced as one, and equals. Someone who fits me like a puzzle piece. Or at least someone that I can grow and learn to be like that with.
The last customer I don't want to spend as much time one. She was a teenage girl, with every meaning of that phrase. She was about 15, and she came with her mom and younger sister (about 10 years old). It was obvious the younger sister really looked up to the older sister, and it was also obvious that the older sister was a brat. Honestly. Every comment she made was intentionally sharp, rude, cutting, and sassy. The longer they were at my check stand, the more tired looking and quiet her mom became. I'm sure the proud 15 year old felt she had won some personal victory. "Take that. She couldn't even think of a good enough response. That is why she is quiet. I'm right," her makeup-ed (obviously a new thing, and obviously paid for by her mother) face proclaimed. The mom looked like a good woman who needed a vacation. My thought was, "Oh, dear. I hope I was never that horrible. I know I was a teenager just like anyone else, but not that bad, right??" That night I went home and thanked my mom for being such a good mother, and putting up with all of us when we were brats, because everyone has bratty moments growing up. I still remember the dark circles under that poor woman's eyes, and how they drooped more and more. I hope that girl somehow gets her head screwed on straight someday. Her mom was an angel.
If you ever need a good moment of introspection, just go to a grocery store, find a bench, and watch the people. It's amazing how seeing others' attitudes can make you re-evaluate your own.