She was in her 80s for sure.

She was alone.

She wore a wedding band on her left hand.

She had two items in her cart.

Her total came to $8.08.

Her hands trembled as she searched for change.

She was short two pennies so I gave them to the cashier but she didn’t notice.

I never notice things when I’m shopping or at the checkout line.  I’m pretty oblivious to my surroundings actually.

But today I paid close attention.  I don’t know why.

But it had such an effect that I started to cry after.

Was it because I pictured my mom in her?

Was it because I pictured myself in her?

Or was it because I wondered how she was living her life?

Did she have a husband?  Was she widowed?  How did she spend her day? Did she have children? Grandchildren?

Was she happy?

All this in a matter of an instant.

I started to think of my mom, who wouldn’t be able to go to the grocery store by herself because she doesn’t drive. I thought, if I lose my dad first, I’ll have to take care of my mom.

I started to worry about my mom’s blood pressure and recent heart issues and my dad’s forgetfulness and eyesight.

I thought of my own mortality too.

These thoughts flooded my mind and overwhelmed me within a few moments.

They came unexpectedly and threw me completely off my groove.

Meant to happen, I suppose.

And that’s okay.

Because sometimes we need an incident, no matter how insignificant – like a woman in a check-out line – to remind us to enjoy every minute and to tell those you love how much they mean to you.