Warm Goodbyes

At The Checkout, Grocery Store, Inspirational, Kind Strangers, Last Day, USA | Right | October 4, 2023

I have been working at this grocery store for over ten years. I am finally leaving because my wife got a great job in another state and we’re moving. I have some favorite regulars who have got wind that I am leaving. One of them is checking out at my register.

Regular: “I heard that you’re leaving?”

Me: “Yes, I’m afraid so. We’re moving up to Wisconsin for my wife’s job.”

Regular: “That’s awful! I mean, I am sure it’s wonderful, and I wish your wife the best, but you’ve been such a pleasant part of shopping here! I always pick your checkout line when I see you!”

Me: “That’s so nice of you to say, but it will be a good move for both of us! I will miss the place, though, as well as my favorite customers!”

Regular: “When is your last shift?”

Me: “Tomorrow, actually.”

We exchange more pleasant conversation, and I finish out my shift

I come back in the next day for my final shift, and over the course of a few hours, I am visited by almost every friendly regular I know! They leave me gifts such as vouchers for gas money (“for the long drive north!”), gloves and scarves (“because it’s cold up there!”), as well as big baked batches of cookies and other food/snacks! I am inundated and overwhelmed!

My favorite regular finally makes an appearance in the last hours of my shift, and she sees most of the gifts that have been stockpiling in my checkout area.

Regular: “Oh, good! They came!”

Me: “This was your doing?”

Regular: “Yes! I mentioned on our Facebook group that our favorite cashier was leaving and we had to do something about it! We wanted to give you a good send-off and to say thank you for being wonderful all these years!”

Me: *Almost in tears* “Thank you! I was just doing my job.”

Regular: “You did more than that. You were a human being at a time when that’s needed more and more these days. Old folks like me appreciate it when we get a friendly face when we go out, and we’ll all miss you dearly.”

And with that, she gives me a full-knitted sweater!

Regular: “I’ve been making this for a few months, more as a way to pass the time. The timing was too good to not give this to you. You stay warm up there!”

I was able to start my new life in the cold north with plenty of gas, food, and warm clothes! Sometimes the customers are VERY right!

This story is part of the Best-Feel-Good-Stories Of-2023 roundup!