Alert — and overwhelmed with gratitude — “06880” reader Melissa Balmer writes:
The other day my 10-year-old daughter had a tooth extracted. She could only eat soft foods, so on the way home from the dentist — and the first time in over 3 months — I stopped at Trader Joe’s.
I bought mashed potatoes, soft pasta, yogurt and 2 large watermelons. At checkout my credit card was declined once, then twice.
I brought out a second card. It too was declined. Confusion turned to panic as I brought out a third card. Declined!
I checked my cash. I was $4 short.
Calmly and amazingly he said, “No problem. I’ll cover the $4.”
I protested that I was good for it. I could put a watermelon back or come back with more cash. But he had already cashed it out and smiled, handing me my receipt. He wished me a good day.
I was stunned. As we walked to the car my daughter said, ” What a nice man.” What a nice man indeed!
At home I fixed the credit card mix-up, and sent my husband over with a thank- you note and return of the loan to Jared.
Maybe this isn’t blog-worthy, given the protests and turmoil in our country. But it might be nice to celebrate such a wonderful neighbor in our community.
Jared saw a frazzled mom trying to buy her kid watermelon. He helped without a second thought, in the kindest manner I had ever seen. We’re lucky to have him in our community.
