Into the Fire

Many jokes have been made about WalMart greeters, about those jobs being the end of the line, the last resort. Sometimes, although it’s not necessarily funny, these statements have some truth to them.

At a WalMart where I frequently shop, I met Kathi who worked about 20 hours a week as a greeter. No ordinary woman, Kathi. She welcomed people to WalMart from a wheel chair, disabled with one leg amputated at high-thigh and one arm perpetually in a sling. She drove her outfitted SUV to work and maneuvered her chair and her difficult body in and out of it. As we spent our brief times chatting, I learned she liked to read so I gave her a copy of The Famous One, and the joy I felt when she told me she loved it exceeded measurement.

We hugged each other, spent those few minutes we had together at the store talking about different things, and I told her how brave and courageous I thought she was. She amazed me. Kathi always was quick to dispense smiles and we enjoyed each other’s company. There was a Subway in this WalMart, and we planned to eventually make time to share a lunch there but somehow didn’t do it. I learned her husband was a firefighter and her injuries were caused by a drunk driver many years before I met her.

What I didn’t know about Kathi was her last name or that she had cancer. I learned that just a week ago when I asked George, another greeter, about Kathi since I hadn’t seen her the last few times I’d been in the store. Today I met George at the entrance and asked about Kathi. She passed away Sunday.

It broke my heart. George hugged me, and I attempted not to cry as I cut my shopping short, barely remembering what I’d gone there to get. I never got to say goodbye. Sometimes we don’t. Kathi’s life touched mine. Such a valiant woman. A loving lady. I will miss her smiles and her hugs. No one will take her place. She was unique, and I know there are empty places in hearts that she once occupied.

God, I know you gave Kathi her joy. I hope to see her again one day. May those who've lost a precious person in their lives be comforted by your Spirit. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.