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Debbie Zipp, actress, producer and co-founder of
IN THE TRENCHES PRODUCTIONS.COM , the first entertainment network for Women Over 40 on the Web. ITTP markets to an ignored audience with its original films and a variety of original series that star women over 40 and are solely produced by In The Trenches Productions.
This is the site for the multi-tasking woman looking for an upbeat break in her day.
Award-winning films offer a funny commentary on life after 40, or a satirical look
at the economic downturn, or a commercial spoof on the obsession with looking
forever young. The series episodes provide inspirational tips on sprucing up the
garden or whipping up tasty treats or life lessons from the heart.
So sit back, relax, kick off your shoes and take a break today.
Thank You Trader Joe’s Man!
Debbie Zipp
CO-Founder, In The Trenches Productions
Well, today was one of those days. One of those days when you brain, your heart and your body is not responding or cooperating with all that you need to do. Your heart isn’t in to anything, your mind is a menopausal fuzzy blur and your body feels like cement blocks are tied to it that you must drag around in the drizzling gray rain. A day when nothing is working or going your way. I’m sure you have had one of those days.
However I have an appointment to get my hair colored and that always boosts my spirits. Nothing like that whiff of peroxide and hands massaging my scalp to give me a new outlook. As I dragged myself into the hair salon ready for a revival I was asked: “Where have you been? Your appointment was at noon.” I replied “But…but…uuuuhhh…I had 1pm written down? Are you sure????” Of course it was my fault. In my brain fog I knew I had written down the wrong time in my trusty calendar that always guides me through each day. I was mortified and begged for forgiveness. Clearly this mistake on my part meant more to me than the hair salon. They were very gracious but I was a mess close to tears.
I was ready to get on my cell phone and call my internist to have him set me up for an MRI of my brain. I just don’t make mistakes like that. I was mad at myself, scared that my brain is disintegrating and so disappointed I wasn’t getting that uplift that only freshly colored hair roots can give.
Instead, I stopped at Trader Joes to pick up a few groceries. Might as well be productive. I got myself a bunch of Verbena daisies to brighten the house. At the check out stand something magical happened. Maybe the checker saw something in my face or my body language or maybe there was no reason for what he did but when there was no price on the garlic asiago cheese loaf of bread he gave it to me for free! I was surprised and a little stunned by that, not sure what to say. I didn’t have to stand in that line waiting for a price check while all the customers in line impatiently stare at the grievous unmarked bread and me. Nobody does that. But he did indeed give me the bread for free! Wow!
But it was the next thing that “Mr. Trader Joe man” did that really stunned me. One of the daisies in the bouquet I bought had snapped in half. I said as I usually do “That’s okay”. But he said, “No, I’ll get you another daisy”. I watched him jaunt over to the flower stand with a gleeful bounce in his step and instead of grabbing one daisy he grabbed another bouquet and with a twinkle in his eye he gave me the new bouquet and let me keep the other one as well.
I’m afraid I was quite speechless at the moment of receiving this kind gesture. I was baffled but was able to utter a weak “Thank You”. As I’m walking to my car my heart swelled with appreciation. “Mr. Trader Joe Man” had given me a tremendous gift with his act of kindness. My shoulders felt lighter, my heart felt happier and my brain was a little clearer and it also gave me an idea for a blog. I felt so grateful to “Mr. Trader Joe man”. He probably has no idea that this sweet gesture came at perfect moment. His timing was a miracle.
It is amazing how every little kindness matters so much in the overall scheme of things. Just touching one person in a special way gets us one step closer to a kinder, gentler and more peaceful world. I will never forget how that free bunch of daisy’s and bread brightened a dreary day. Thank you so much “Mr. Trader Joe Man”. You made a big difference in someone’s life today.
Debbie Zipp, blogger for In the Trenches Productions.Com, the first entertainment website for women over 40 on the web
