CHOOSE TO BE YOUR BEST

Those of you who know me well, know that I am a hugger. COVID-19 is trying to change that for me so I did a little study on physical touch. I learned physical touch is known to improve the function of your immune system as well as reduce some diseases. See . . . we need physical touch to combat this pandemic!
 
Last week we returned to work at the dental office. I’ll have to admit, I gave a few hugs to my patients. With my mask on and theirs as well, I saw no harm in it; however, I didn’t hug as much as usual. Social distancing makes a hug very difficult.
 
COVID-19 has changed many things. It can bring out the best and the worst in people. On my way home from work one day last week, I stopped at a retail store to make a return and an exchange. A few days earlier, I had unknowingly purchased an item that was broken so it was to be an even exchange. The other three items were a return without a receipt so she told me just to purchase some items to add up to their total. No problem! I needed to purchase some cards anyway.
 
When I got to the register, the woman in front of me was purchasing some Clorox wipes, toilet paper and Lysol spray . . . all of those needed items during this pandemic. She was telling the cashier that her elderly mother lived in Louisville and was unable to find these items. She had purchased them earlier and mailed them to her, but she never received them. It wasn’t long before the woman said she received the empty box with a note that said, “Sorry.” The cashier immediately said, “What is wrong with people?”  Yes, it can bring out the worst in people.
 
Then it was my turn. We made the even exchange, no problem. She rang up my remaining items, saving out the ones that she thought would add up to my other return. I paid for these items with my check card. She rang up the items that were remaining and one of the cards was more than she thought so she told me to grab a pack of gum to make up the difference but when I did, it made the purchase .53 cents more, and I didn’t have .53 cents! Due to the COVID-19 situation, I only took in what I needed—my check card. I had left my purse in the car. I offered to swipe my card when the woman behind me scratched out .53 cents from her coin purse and paid for me. I’m telling you, I hugged up that woman before I knew what had happened! AND she hugged me back!
 
All within 60 seconds there in line, we had heard how selfish someone could be to seeing how kind someone could be. Yes, COVID-19 is bringing out the worst and the best in people. My prayer is you will choose to be the best . . . On the Journey.

Written by Linda Cooper, national WMU President