I wrote this a few years ago, still holds true today. It made me realize how much I miss the simple human interaction, like buying a poppy from a person, instead of just putting a dollar in a can and grabbing the poppy at a check out line.

I hope we all remembered those who fought and died for all the freedoms we miss this year.

She just sat there quietly, holding a handful of paper poppies, as I walked into the grocery store. There was a table in front of her with a can to put money in, a few more poppies, and a small hand written sign that said “Support Veterans” I made a mental note to get cash when I checked out so I could buy one.

So many different groups set up tables in our local store to sell things.   The newspaper guy offers everyone a free paper,  then tries to get you to sign up for home delivery.  The cute little girl scouts sell their cookies,  looking at you with those big eyes and little voices.  School groups sell raffle tickets,  the cub scouts sell popcorn,  and the boy scouts collect pop cans.

All of them doing their best 10 second sales pitch to try to get you to support whatever organization they are part of.   And I think all of them are deserving of our support.

But this lady didn’t say a thing, just smiled.

And I thought about that as I shopped.  I thought about what she was selling represented. 

A simple paper poppy that represents all that have served our country, fought for us, many died for us.

This weekend our country will pause and remember all the men and women who gave their life in the service of us all, and those little paper poppies are something a lot of us will wear to show our support.  I usually buy one every time I see a veteran or legion ladies auxiliary member selling them.

And while there’s nothing wrong with girl scouts and boy scouts using the hard cute sell on me, there is also something very honorable about an old lady who just stands there holding poppies.

Maybe I’d still buy cookies from quiet kids.

Maybe I’d still bring my pop cans to the boy scouts if they didn’t yell.

And maybe all us should just know that we better buy a poppy and say thank you without being asked to.

I finished my shopping and got some ones for change.

As I walked out of the store,  I stopped at her table and told her I’d like a poppy,  she handed me one as I put a dollar in the can,  and she said thank you.

That seemed backwards.   Maybe she had served herself or her husband had.  Maybe she was a blue star mother,  or a gold star mother.  Whatever the case,  I should be thanking her.

I walked out of the store with my groceries and my poppy as a bunch of teen agers walked in.

They were happy and excited and ready for a long weekend.

I wondered if they knew the significance of Memorial day,  did they know what some many people their age or a little older had done for our country.  Would they take the time to go to a parade, or cemetery, to say thank you,  and remember

I wondered if they would notice an old lady, as she just  sat there quietly, holding a handful of paper poppies.