That day so many years ago still sits vividly in my mind. The overflowing cart of groceries with way too much. My rush to get it all on the conveyor belt so I could make the quick dash home in time for dinner. The cluttered mind thinking about all the things I had to do.

Then I saw him. Out of the corner of my eye. He was holding one loaf of bread. Waiting patiently. So I did the right thing and said, “Please, go ahead of me. I have so much and you only have the bread.”

When I looked up I met his eyes. I saw the cane. The sadness. The stoop. He straightened up a bit. His face brightened. “Why, thank you, miss.”

I kept placing things on the belt while he edged around me. I smiled at him. He thanked me again. He told the cashier that this “young lady” (mind you I was anything but young -still I’ll take it) had offered to let him go first. Wasn’t she just so kind? He turned and thanked me again. This time I not only smiled but took a moment to look at him and nod.

He paid for his purchase, bagged the bread, and made his way down the aisle to thank me once again. Turning he almost made it to the end of the aisle before stopping to once again thank me for the kindness.

As I thought about how many times he had thanked me, how he stood taller when he was acknowledged. . . I knew it wasn’t about the bread. He was seen. Someone stopped and showed him some compassion.

I have no idea what his story was. But he looked lonely, tired.

How many times have I been too busy to see people? Really see them? How many times have I kept my head down? How many times have I missed that person who needed a smile, an acknowledgement that “you are valued.” Or a non-verbal reminder that you are made in the image of God and a beautiful creation?

I doubt I will ever forget the man with the loaf of bread. I hope I remember to slow down, see the people around me and act out of compassion.

I’m hoping that the man left with more than just the bread. I’m hoping he left knowing he was valued and seen. That he wasn’t forgotten in this big world full of way too much.