An Aldi Story

This morning I awoke to a very grumpy husband. He had a rough night, which meant I had a rough night also, due to his thrashing around when he couldn’t sleep. So we were both tired and out of sorts. He did manage to eat a little, though.

I got some of my Bible reading in before heading off to Aldi for the grocery shopping. Tomorrow is Walter’s birthday dinner, so I had more to get than usual. My homeless buddy was there for the first time in several weeks. I wondered if I had just been going at the wrong time. He sat next to the door in his usual spot, enjoying the morning sunshine, and greeted me cheerfully as always.

I actually intended to pick up a snack for him in the store, but I got so focused on making sure I had everything I needed for tomorrow’s dinner that I ended up forgetting. As I left the store, he told me to have a good day. Then when I returned my cart, he repeated his wish that I would have a good day, and added, “I love you.” And no, I don’t think he meant it any romantic way, but it was kind of heartwarming.

And just at that moment, a police car pulled up. I was already walking back to my car, but when I got there I waited to see what would happen. A policewoman got out of the car and walked up to the man. There was a very brief conversation, and then he stood up, gathered his things, and walked off along the shopping center sidewalk, presumably to wherever he hangs out when not at Aldi.

I felt more than a little ire over this. Obviously someone must have called to complain about him. I don’t know why this man is homeless, but I do know that he has been unfailingly polite, cheerful and helpful over the last several months that I’ve encountered him. He greets everyone with a smile. If you need help with your cart, he will jump up to help you—and he’s not a young man. He’s never been inebriated, never rude or profane. He doesn’t beg. The only thing he’s ever asked me for is thirteen cents so he would have enough to buy a quart of milk to drink. That’s it. Thirteen cents! So it infuriates me that someone would complain about him. And I don’t think it was the Aldi staff, because they’ve always been very friendly to him in the interactions I’ve seen. They let him use the bathroom and have been very patient as he counts out coins to buy some little thing to eat or drink. *sigh*

So anyway, I drove home and Walter helped me put all the groceries away. He’s been up and down today. He did eat a little at mealtimes, but ended up in quite a bit of digestive distress. When not suffering from that, he worked in his shop on a big project for the grandgirls. It needs to be finished by the time we go next month. And Jasper got another coat of paint on my blue chair. Today was much cooler than it has been, so paint is drying quite slowly.

I worked on various mundane projects and did finally start a sewing project which I’ve been putting off for weeks, and which now has a deadline. Tomorrow’s not going to be relaxing.

Joy Spark: Hearing that my dad is doing much better in his recovery.

Parting Shot:

I guess it IS possible to have a single “tong.” Good thing I have backup!