To the editor:
I went to Market Basket this morning, which was pretty busy with Passover and Easter right around the corner. Since we are expecting guests for the upcoming week, I did an unusually big shop, really a huge shop.
As I'm reaching for my wallet, the woman at the checkout counter says,
"You can put your wallet away."
"What?" I asked, not understanding her.
She replies, "The gentleman behind you is picking up your bill."
For a stunned moment, I didn't say anything. I turned around and started to object, but the woman at the counter says, "That's Don, he does this — and if you say no, he will get upset."
I turned to the man, thinking I could at least get his full name and send a thank you card: "I can't thank you enough — what an incredibly generous thing to do ... What is your name?"
Simply "Don," he replies, and then he tells the woman at the counter that he will also pay for the woman behind him, whose basket holds several beautiful potted tulips. She looks as amazed as I feel.
"Well, Don," I say, "we are expecting a family from Denmark for the week and they won't believe this story. Please know that I intend to pass your act of kindness on. Thank you!"
"Happy Easter," he replies. And I am on my way, my shopping cart and my heart quite full.
SUSAN JO BUMAGIN
Beach Road, Gloucester
