I had to stop by the grocery store for
a couple of things, after a doctor's appointment today. Shortly after
selecting my cart and making my way to the desired aisle, I noticed a
woman standing with her cart, by the bread. She was older than I am,
and had hair so short, she was just past being bald. I thought she
looked beautiful. I wanted to talk to her, but I felt a little
awkward. Not everyone with such short hair is a cancer patient. Some
people just like it that way. Still, I had a gut feeling. I watched
her vanish around a corner, then decided to grab the things I needed.
When I found myself in the produce section, I looked at the bread
again, wondering if she had gone far. I made my way to the back of
the store, thinking up things to say. If I saw her again, I knew I
would have to talk to her. As I rounded the corner, near the juice, I
saw her not far away, looking at some items on an end-cap. Gathering
my courage, I approached her. She wasn't looking at me when I said,
“You look amazing!” She looked a little surprised, but she smiled
and thanked me. Then she said she normally wears a hat, but it was
just too warm, today. I told her she pulls off the look amazingly
well and that I'd had the same do just a few months ago. She asked to
get a look at the length of my hair, so I turned around and showed
her the back. We briefly discussed the torture of waiting for our
hair to grow back, and I once again assured her that she looked
incredible, and that few women look that good in such a situation. I
then said I hoped it was going well for her, and she said it was. She
was all done with chemo. I smiled at her, said it was good, and told
her to stay strong as I made my way around the corner, to another
aisle, unable to stop smiling. I smiled at the checkout, I smiled
through the parking lot, and I smiled as I got into the car.
It feels good to know there are others
surviving the battle, and sharing that positive energy warms me. I
hope I was able to brighten her day just a little. She really was
beautiful, and I wanted her to know it.
