Something to Be Thankful For

It’s easy to forget that some people have no one --
no grandchildren to spoil,
no spouse to hold them close at night,
no siblings to argue with,
or to laugh at their bad jokes --
it’s easy to forget,
until a meek little white-haired old woman
walks through your line and changes your life.

You wouldn’t guess she’s anything special,

or very interesting at all just by looking at her,
but she speaks volumes without saying a word.

Quietly, she places her “feast” on the belt,

and you scan each item one by one:
two packs of hot dogs
one four-pack of pudding.
 -- Thanksgiving dinner for one.

She counts out the last four one dollar bills she has,

and places them in your hand, your mechanical fingers
count back her change. She takes it with a knowing look
and without warning replaces it with three
Hershey’s kisses and a pack of Oreos.
This is the stuff holidays are made of.

                             -- Never forget it.