My Final Shareholder Letter

I was in a CVS store and after getting a few items I got in line behind one man who was already in the process of being checked out. I was feeling lucky that there was not a big line as I was in a hurry to get to my next destination. The man before me was in his 80's and had many coupons that he was juggling along with his cane and wallet. There was a long conversation between him and the clerk as the clerk explained some of his coupons were obsolete and some just did not match what he wanted to purchase. The clerk was slow and gentle and so kind explaining to this customer who was very confused but also was obviously very hard of hearing as well. At one point the clerk even left his post so as to bring back a couple rolls of toilet paper that the man wanted but forgot. And then the elderly man decided he wanted two more rolls of toilet paper! Again, off the clerk went with a smile . Although I was in line only about 15 minutes, the line behind me grew quickly to 10 people. There was much rumbling behind me because unlike me, they could not hear and see the extraordinary care and kindness of this clerk to a confused elderly man. I forgot my need for getting out quickly and just settled back and watched in amazement and fascination as this extraordinary clerk focused on the needs of this one elderly man as if there were no other people in the line. As a final touch, the elderly man paid with cash, most of it in change as he painstakingly and slowly counted it out, over and over! When the transaction was finally over, the clerk had another employee carry the elderly man's toilet paper and a few other items out to the car. I was deeply touched and told the clerk how he had transformed my day by his kindness and concern for this elderly man. I now try to go to CVS when I know Doug is working. It turns out that this is his second job.

wow! what a story, catherine -- thanks so much for sharing ... another place to post it is on a sister portal of awakin, kindspring.org (on the upper right side) ... just a thought ... best wishes to you!