Today I made my way through Tesco, a major grocery store chain, to grab a few items just like any other food shopping trip. As I do majority of my grocery shopping at Aldi, this time I found myself often reading the signs dangling from the ceiling in order to figure out which items were placed where in the large store. While doing so, I couldn’t help but notice a young woman traveling up and down the aisles by herself with a walking stick. Here I was struggling to find some salad dressing, and yet somehow this woman was able to do it while being blind.
As we both met up in the dairy aisle, she proceeded to ask me for help finding a certain brand of Oat milk. Looking at a wall of what must’ve been thirty different brands of milk, it took me probably two minutes to find the exact one she wished to buy. She felt the various milk containers, using their shape as indicators as to where this certain Oat milk was typically placed. Eventually I was able to find it for her, only after she told me that the store was constantly putting them in different places, forcing her to constantly ask people for help. Simply amazed, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “How do you know that? …I wouldn’t even know that.”
She displayed nothing but gratitude for my help in the simple task. Upon realizing my “accent”, she asked me where I was from and proceeded to tell me about her American friend from who is now traveling country to country as a nurse. We agreed that it seems people always want to travel to wherever it is they’re currently not, as Americans often come to Ireland vice versa. Laughing, she jokingly said she feels as if she isn’t living life having not done so herself. As she was not much older than myself, my heart broke for her yet again as I realized my biggest struggle is miniscule compared to what she combats on an everyday basis.
Ireland is one of the most beautiful and colorful places I have ever seen, and adventuring through it has been one of the most amazing experiences I have had. Yet it is something this woman will never be able to witness and appreciate even as an Irish citizen. And for that I can’t help but feel a sense of guilt as well as a greater appreciation for my life. From the rolling green hills of Ireland to snow-covered mountains in Germany and turquoise Caribbean waters, my eyes have allowed me to witness so much of the vast beauty this world has to offer. But most importantly, not a day has gone by where I wake up unable to see my surroundings or simply where the milk is that I mindlessly pick up at the store.
It is so easy to take things for granted. It is so easy to focus on what needs to be improved or how situations could be better. But today reminded me to appreciate being able to food shop at ease, travel to and witness the beauty of new countries, as well as simply just see life as it is every single day. It is impossible to appreciate everything, but a reminder every now and then such as this allows me to do so. And as you’re reading this with your very own two eyes, I hope you too can do the same.
When your world moves too fast
and you lose yourself in the chaos,
introduce yourself
to each color of the sunset.
Reacquaint yourself with the earth
beneath your feet.
Thank the air that surrounds you
with every breath you take.
Find yourself in the appreciation of life.
Christy Ann Martine
