When I moved to Raleigh after my disastrous road trip I was still mired in grief for my wife, who had died 6 months earlier. One of the first people I met was Carol, who worked the self-service checkout counters at the grocery store. As I checked out each week, we’d chitchat about the weather, upcoming holidays and occasionally about our lives.
It was nice to see a friendly person who recognized and welcomed me each week.
Then Covid hit. During the next 2+ years as we had various shutdowns, social distancing and mandatory isolation, Carol was sometimes the only person I talked to, in person, all week. Although our conversations were always surface level, I looked forward to seeing her each week.
Last week, more than 4 years after we first met, Carol told me she’s retiring at the end of the month. She’s about that age and being on her feet all day long is no longer working for her.
I am thrilled for her. I congratulated her and told her I will miss seeing her.
I’m glad she gave me the chance to say goodbye.