Day 1345

Have you ever looked at a face and thought, “Whatever they need, I will try to give it to them?” All my Goldens have that effect on me, but I have seen it on human faces as well.

It has something to do with the eyes, but goes beyond…a furrowed brow, a tear escaping to a cheek or any other genuine plea for help. Usually the heart strings are plucked immediately, but there are times when there is a delayed reaction.

One day, I was at a grocery store where I passed an elderly man searching the shelves with a befuddled expression. I smiled as I passed and took a number of steps down the aisle before his lost, helpless look hit home. Abandoning my cart, I walked back and asked if I could help him find an item. Showing me a long list, written in a shaky handwriting, he admitted that he typically didn’t do the grocery shopping. I could only guess what had happened in his life to force this new experience, so I offered to help him. We filled his cart with the items on the sheet of paper and then I sent him on his way with a brief hand on his shoulder. He thanked me profusely and we parted ways. I will probably never see him again, but I hope I filled more than his cart.

Given the opportunity to help is a gift. Being alert to those who need that help requires a constant awareness.

, Ranger…with that look he gives me…I can NEVER say “No”!