I had to share this moment, because it was far too beautiful to keep to myself. Tonight, inside the Publix grocery store in Tifton, Georgia, I witnessed an act of pure kindness that reminded me what true humanity looks like.
As I was walking down one of the aisles, my attention was drawn to a young employee named Roger. What caught my eye wasn’t his uniform or the fact that he was working hard stocking shelves — it was the way he had completely shifted his attention to help an elderly gentleman in a motorized wheelchair.
The older man had stopped Roger with a simple, heartfelt question: “Are you busy?” Without hesitation, Roger smiled warmly and replied, “No sir, how can I help you?”
It turned out the man had a shopping list in hand but admitted that it would take him all night to find what he needed and place everything in his cart if he tried to do it alone. Roger didn’t flinch, didn’t sigh, and didn’t show the slightest sign of inconvenience. Instead, he immediately offered his assistance with genuine enthusiasm.
What followed was a scene that spoke volumes about respect, patience, and compassion. Roger carefully read the man’s list, walked alongside him through the aisles, and helped him reach the items he needed. He wasn’t just placing things into the cart—he was engaging the man in conversation, listening attentively, and treating him as though he were the most important person in the store.
There was no rushing. No hint of annoyance. Just pure attentiveness. Roger smiled at everyone he passed, even greeting me with a kind “How’s your evening going?” before continuing to focus on helping the gentleman.
Another shopper nearby leaned over and whispered to me that she had seen the moment the man first stopped Roger. She said Roger was hard at work when approached, but he never once acted like helping was a burden. That struck me deeply. In today’s fast-paced world, where so many brush past others without a second thought, here was a young man who stopped everything to make sure someone else didn’t feel alone.
It was impossible not to tear up. Watching the interaction, I realized the elderly gentleman wasn’t just grateful for the assistance with his groceries — he was grateful to be seen, to be heard, and to have someone treat him with patience and respect. Sometimes kindness isn’t about the act itself, but about the dignity and humanity it restores.
As I left the store, I couldn’t stop thinking about Roger’s quiet but powerful example. In a time when kindness feels so rare, this young man showed us all what it means to live with compassion. That elderly man went home with his groceries, but more importantly, he went home knowing that someone cared enough to walk beside him.
And that’s something we should all carry with us.