You always hear about all the bad in the world, but we don’t hear much about the good — especially on the news. It can be depressing! I truly believe there is still good in the world and good people! But what if we heard more about the good than the bad? Wouldn’t that be uplifting and change the way we feel? Turn the news on, and there are “more” heartfelt stories about communities that come together for a benefit or stories about someone doing something kind, just because?
A few weeks back, I went to Wegmans for the first time on my own after surgery. I am still currently on a lifting restriction which is honestly the biggest pain in the butt. The heaviest thing I got was two gallons of milk that I put right in the front of my cart. This way, I didn’t have to move it very far. When I got to the register, I pulled my cart right up in the aisle to unload. Typically, I go in first, so my cart is last. But I wanted to get as close to the belt as possible, so I wasn’t reaching too far or lifting more than needed. My husband was already having a fit, and I was even attempting to get groceries. It felt good to get out in the world again and feel some normal activity. Something I felt I could do without overdoing it. Easing back into things, with a little help from the “working hands” workers. It’s always tough asking for help, but that’s what they are there for. I had to suck up my pride. I have large grocery bags that hold some serious weight, so it was getting them in the car is where my husband demanded that I get someone to help me. (It was kinda cute how worried he was.)
As I picked up the gallons of milk and slid them on the belt, I plopped my produce down with it. No one was behind me at this point, so I grabbed my bread and little things I could reach easily. I turned to put more on the belt, and there were groceries there that weren’t mine. I turned around and saw a lady unloading her basket behind me. She couldn’t see that I still had food in my cart to unload.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” I told her. “I had to get close to the belt because I just had abdominal surgery and can’t lift heavy.”
Without any hesitation, she pulled my cart back and started unloading it for me. I told her she didn’t have to do that, but she insisted! For each item she put on the belt, I kept thanking her. Then I got distracted by the cashier asking them to put my cold things together, and before I knew it, the woman was gone, and my cart was empty. I knew I had thanked her as she loaded them, but I was sad that I didn’t get to tell her how much it meant to me. This stranger, who didn’t know me from Adam, was willing to unload my entire cart without any questions. She truly cared. It’s little things like this that make the world truly a better place.
It’s when you go through things like surgery, sicknesses, losses, and hard times that you really see people for who they are—who is there and who isn’t. But when some random stranger does something so kind, it makes you stop and smile. I just want to thank this woman, whoever you are, from the bottom of my heart. I tried to catch you in the parking lot but couldn’t reach you in time. You made my day!
It’s times like this that I am so grateful to work for a local paper in hopes that this could reach her. Just share a simple story that could touch one person and let them know that there are people out there who still care. There is still good in this world. Remember, one smile or even a simple “Good Morning” or “Hello” could change a person’s day. Be kind. Always.
Creamy Orzo
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup yellow onion finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves finely minced
• 12 ounces (~1 large) chicken breast cut into small bite-sized pieces
• Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
• 1 bag (16 ounces) Frozen diced vegetables (I use the blend of carrots, sweet peas, corn, & green beans)
• 1 and 3/4 cup broccoli (~1 floret), chopped into very small pieces
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 tablespoons white all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock or chicken broth
• 2 and 1/4 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, divided
Directions:
Sauté: Onions and garlic in olive oil.
Cook Chicken: Add chicken, season, and cook.
Add Veggies: Include frozen vegetables and broccoli, cook until tender.
Make Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add stock and milk slowly while stirring constantly until flour is mixed well.
Add Orzo: Stir in uncooked orzo and Italian seasoning, simmer until nearly tender.
Combine: Return chicken and veggies to pot, add Parmesan, season to taste.
Serve: Creamy, garnished with Parmesan and optional parsley.
