The Coupons

Fully Aware and Fully Engaged

The old man slouched over his grocery cart and lined up his coupons on the cart seat.

Matt had come into the store for a few things and saw the man. He thought it was strange the way the man was organizing lining up the coupons, so exact and meticulously. The old man ran out of space on the seat so he just leafed through the remaining coupons. He breathed out a heavy sigh and closed eyes, turning his head upwards. When he opened his eyes again, he touched each coupon and laid two more on top of the five that were already spread out.

“Everything okay, sir?” Matt asked.

“Huh? What? Oh yeah. Maybe. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

“Can I help you with something?”

The man sighed, this time it was long and drawn out.

“No, there’s, um, nothing you can do.” He continued to stare at his coupons.

The old man said, “Just found out my former company’s pension fund went bankrupt. Went bust. Belly up. Gone, just gone. Thousands of our pensions down the drain. Millions gone. Just like that. I’m forced to make every penny count now.”

The man smiled at Matt and said, “You’re a perceptive young man. Thank you for asking. About three hours ago I was at my lowest, mad at the world, never been lower, just crazy stuff, know what I mean? Crazy crazy stuff. Crazy thoughts. Crazy ideas.”

“Anything I can do to help you think more clearly while you’re shopping?”

“I don’t think I’ve met anyone quite like you before, son. Sorry, I don’t know your name and…”

“It’s Matt. Call me Matt.”

“Right, Matt. You’re a brave man for asking me.”

“Not brave, just intuitive, I guess. You see, 43 days ago, I lost my five-year-old son when he ran into the street without looking. Blamed myself for taking my eyes off him. I was a mess for days. Still am, but I’m recovering. Did the same thing you’re doing, actually. Wandering. Couldn’t think straight. In a daze.”

“I’m so sorry to hear about your son. Matt. That’s so tragic. Matt, would you do this old man a kindness and help me with this shopping tonight? I would, uh, I’d be indebted to you for a long time.”

“I’d love to. Think nothing of it. Now, let’s see those coupons you have there…”

*****

Thought: Can you think of a time when you were this fully engaged and in tune with those around you? Share in the comments.