Margaret was 83, but she still liked doing her own grocery shopping. It was one of the small routines that helped her feel independent, even on days when her hands were not as steady as they used to be.
That Saturday, she had only picked up six items. The store was busy, the checkout lanes were backed up, and people were already shifting impatiently from one foot to the other.
When Margaret reached the register, she began looking through her purse for her wallet. Her fingers trembled as she searched, and the few extra seconds felt much longer under the eyes of everyone waiting behind her.
Before her daughter could step in to help, a woman with a cart full of groceries moved closer and made a cruel remark.