I didn't start it. I swear I didn't. But once it started I jumped right in.

Yesterday I hit the major shopping spots in Monteagle: The Piggly Wiggly, Fred's, and Dollar General.

I was on a mission to find a gift. My first stop though was The Pig. I always shop when Parents' Weekend is approaching because the produce is upgraded to *fresh*.

My next stop was Dollar General. I stood behind a couple while we all perused the same shelf. With sleight of hand, they signaled each other that they might be blocking my view. With extreme courtesy they fussed with concern. With extreme courtesy I fussed back and assured them they weren't blocking my view. It was then that the husband smiled a big smile and revealed his mouth was missing teeth and that the remaining ones were black with rot. *sigh* Unfortunately, I did some inside-my-head profiling that we all do and aren't proud of. Yet, courtesy reigned. After all, there was also their view of me to consider - a haggard old lady lugging oxygen with tubes up her nose. Hindsight, I maybe had the better view. *laughing*

I didn't find what I wanted so I moseyed over to Fred's. No luck there either but I picked up a few household items to purchase. No one was at the register but there was one of those annoying bells that one is expected to punch to alert a clerk. I don't like those bells. They're too bossy. So I stood there staring at it. I finally gave it a slight tap and continued to wait.

Then a couple approached the counter. I explained I'd already tapped the bell, but the husband lumbered up to the counter and with an amusing, exaggerated voice he bellowed, "Here! I'll ring that bell!" And that's precisely what he did. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING... well, you get it, right?

As the clerk approached the counter the man pointed at me and protested, "I didn't do it - she did!" And that's when it started. Everyone chimed in with the fun and silliness and runaway laughter.

As the frivolity calmed down, I asked, "You're visiting parents, aren't you?"

And they were. You see, I'd profiled them, too. They were age-appropriate and nicely dressed and groomed, but more significant was their aura of indefinable joy I used to feel when I visited my children. There was always something invigorating and carefree. It felt like I was auditing the whole college experience in one weekend - an observer with no classroom responsibilities - and infused with the type of impulsivity to do silly things like pounding on a bell with the sole intention of evoking laughter.

Anyway, we chatted it up a bit and then I left.

In the parking lot, I encountered the couple I'd met in Dollar General. I cocked my head, smiled, and said, "Are you following me?"

The local couple laughed and replied with a similar quip. We laughed together.

This is all to say... I don't know what.

Perhaps today reminded me that kindness and smiles and silliness and another dollop of kindness know no demographic boundaries. Nor should we put limitations. I think it might be that simple.

One of my many mantras is rooted in Matthew 25:40. The least, the least, the least... of which I am one and so are you.

As always, thanks for listening.