Aldi has become my new favorite market to shop for groceries. I love to walk the aisles and check out the unusual items often matched to the season. Freeze-dried strawberries, cinnamon granola and fresh brioche rolls are some of my favorite finds. The no-frills concept of open cartons instead of shelf displays appeals to my taste for simplicity.

If you haven’t visited this market, I should let you know that you deposit a quarter to use a shopping cart. The quarter is returned when you bring the cart back to its place. This took some getting used to for me, but this method to wrangle shopping carts has given me new appreciation for people. Today, for example, as I made my way to the entrance, a woman returning her cart offered it to me. When I reached out to give her my quarter, she declined with a smile. That small act of kindness made my day. And as I gathered items into my cart, I noticed that spirit of cooperation was present inside the store. I’ve never seen anyone push, jump in front of another shopper, or yell at an employee.

After stowing my groceries in the car, I performed the now familiar ritual of offering my cart to another shopper. As I waved off her offer of a quarter, I just had to smile.
What would the world be like if we could share kindness and cooperation with one another every day, in small and big ways?

I recalled a familiar Scripture verse as I unpacked my bags at home. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6 NIV)

Let’s pledge this Christmas to follow the Christ child and spread kindness in the world.

– Becky Peeling ’05 M.S.
Associate Vice President for University Relations and Marketing