ATS frowns on starting a thread and bailing... I'm in a time constraint and really wanted to share.
Most folks want to just go to the grocery store and check out faster than it took to shop. I could make a rant thread about this daily. You know the
old "hey let's stand in the center of an isle blocking everyone and that item"( myself needs but can't get because 5 people want to have a
conversation )... and of course they sigh out loud when you say excuse me.
So I'm at the old age of 40 something, was shopping at Giant Eagle here in lovely Pittsburgh Pa. Above the "Rocks" ( McKees Rocks Kennedy ) I've
been a firefighter/paramedic/nurse since 1989... 8 back surgeries, 3 neck and 3 knee surgeries.. I can only walk so far before my body gives out. But
i do it because I'm still young and love to move.
RIGHT THE ENCOUNTER!
I'm going through the cookie isle. I really want a large package of Chips Ahoy.. not for me but another firefighter that agreed to diet with me ( he
gained 60 lbs as I'm down to 237 lbs from 286 lbs, he's not on board ) jokingly he says grab me some Chips Ahoy.. ( kept buying broccoli and spinach
to help him but he consciously decided no ) his palettes are superb I suppose.
There is a lovely elder woman in her 80's staring at the Chips Ahoy.. I passed her 2 times waiting to see if she was done deciding on purchasing. But
after 10+minutes the medic in me dived in to check if she was ok...
Mrs Mays reached out with her hands to my arm.. "excuse me young man... did these Chips Ahoy get recalled" my response was yes but they were pulled
from the shelf and replaced that day.. she ask if they were ok to buy, I said yes and as the matter of fact I was going to grab 2 extra large bags for
my friend and his firefighters. ( with a gallon of chocolate ice cream in hopes to mess with their diet )
Mrs. Mays was extremely thankful to the point she had a couple of tears. Seeing her I was sincerely involved with her, For 45 mins that seemed only a
couple of minutes.
So she goes on to mention that we've met before here at Giant Eagle and I helped then too. Now for the first time she introduced herself as Joyce Mays
and she is a Notery public not far from here. She started to tear up as her second oldest son passed away last month. I was heartfelt as a mother
outlived her child. Then she drives it home said she lost her first son "Billy" years ago after he landed in Florida after bad turbulence and overhead
baggage hit him in the head. She went on to explain that he called her and tolled her he was dizzy and had a headache, but was fine and headed home to
rest. Noted was that she and his father just watched commercial with Billy in it selling a cleaning product. Bells and Whistles went off in my
head..
So now I'm fully aware that Joyce is Billy Mays Mother and she went on to state just so..
Joyce insisted on letting me know that a local Italian resteraunt Called Mario's
and local Bread maker Mancini's
were part of her family. And gave me her card to let me know that she would contact both
businesses of me and
OMG SHE GOT ME 4 FREE DINNERS AND FRESH BAKED BREAD FOR FREE!!
Naturally I'm not taking advantage of this as I found our encounter more than rewarding. It should be mentioned she has one more boy whom lives in
Florida. She feared she may also outlive him.
Now just a wee bit of research will give you info of how Billy Mays died. The turbulent Airplane was mentioned but the toxicology report from the
death report was readily available. As meeting a mother whom dearly loved her child, Let's let that be.
So the next time your at the local market in a hurry. Consider what may be there in front of you.
edit on 30-5-2019 by Bigburgh because: (no reason given)