The Greatest Adventure
I was at the Dollar Tree on a Sunday afternoon buying the random assortment of items that can only be found in a teacher’s cart. These items included plastic salad tongs, stickers, cupcake liners, muffin tins, and clothespins. The line inched towards the back of the store, and there was a general grumble of impatience. The interactions customers had with the cashier were varied. Some people shoved their money at her, obviously in a hurry. Others responded with pleasantries and conversation. Exhaustion crept across the cashier’s face as she rapidly rang up purchases for a few customers who berated her for the length of the line. When it was the next customer’s turn, she greeted her with the automatic question, “How are you doing?” The customer smiled and responded with the expected answer of, “I’m doing well, thanks.” She stopped and returned the smile, telling her that her reply and smile were just what she needed on this chaotic afternoon. That simple exchange stu