I had a $10 voucher to spend at Kohl’s.
After shopping, I stood in the checkout line holding three simple items in my hands. In front of me was a woman with a large cart overflowing with clothes and household goods. She turned around, saw me standing there, and immediately offered to let me go ahead of her.
I smiled and declined. She insisted.
There were two cashiers open. One was moving smoothly. The other was struggling to process an unusual coupon code and had to call for a manager. It was taking a while.
Just then, the first cashier became available and waved me over.
As she rang me up, I glanced to my right. The second cashier had barely made progress. The woman who had let me skip ahead was still waiting. And, now, because I had gone in front of her, she would likely be waiting even longer.
And I felt it, that quiet moment of awareness.
A week earlier, my 12-year-old cousin had found a $10 bill at a holiday market. She chose not to keep it, saying simply, “It’s not mine.” That clarity stayed with me.
So I asked the cashier if I could leave my $10 voucher for the woman behind me. I explained why. I was thinking, too, of Maimonides, who teaches that one of the highest forms of giving is when it can be done anonymously—without fanfare, without recognition.
The cashier smiled and said, “That’s so thoughtful.”
I scribbled a small note:
“Thank you for letting me skip ahead of you. Have a wonderful day!”
And without saying anything to the woman, I took my bag and walked out.
As I exited the store, I faintly heard her say to the cashier, “That was so sweet.”
It struck me: kindness often creates a ripple we never see.
Her small act made space for me.
My small act brought joy to her.
Ten dollars. A place in line. A note on receipt paper. And, yet, I believe that something genuine and powerful passed between us.
And my hope and blessing for all of us this week is to be mindful of when someone makes our day just a little easier.
Instead of simply receiving it:
Pause.
Notice.
Pass it forward-quietly, without needing credit.
May we move through the world alert to small openings for goodness and brave enough to step into them.
