I see him once or twice a week, he’s always pushing the carts at our local grocery store. Every time I food shop I make it a point to talk to him on my way in and on my way out of the store. He is a sweet, attentive, personable, and mentally disabled young man.
On this day he he walked me to my car as I was leaving the grocery store. Knox was holding a matchbox car in his hand and we were chatting about how many children lose their toys, pacifiers, etc. in the grocery store every week. As we approached my car he pulled out an old orange matchbox car from his chest vest pocket and said “a little boy lost this a couple weeks back I’ve been carrying it around with me every day in case he comes back for it”. Then he leaned down and handed the car to Knox, who more than happily took it in his free hand. Now he had a matchbox car in each of his hands (Pure happiness).
I thanked him and said “well, I guess that kids loss is my kids gain...”. This young man paused for a good 30 seconds and looked up at the sky, like he was contemplating this. He finally turned to me and said in a firm, definitive voice “Yes, I guess it is”.
We said goodbye and I got in my car.. then proceeded to call everyone tell them about this experience. There are lots of good people in this world, regardless of race or gender or beliefs or neurodiversity... and I like reminding people of that. We are all humans who crave love and affection. So keep making connections, and keep making the world go round.
