Today, something happened that really touched my heart.
I was walking into the Kroger in New Albany when I noticed a young woman outside, struggling a little to push a long line of shopping carts through the wind. Her name tag said Jessica. She was working hard, smiling softly even though it was cold and the carts were heavy.
As I got closer, I saw a car pull up near her. A woman inside rolled down her window and started yelling at Jessica for being in her way. It was completely unnecessary — Jessica was just doing her job.
Jessica froze, her face turned red, and she looked like she was about to cry. My heart broke for her. I walked up to her, gave her a quick hug, and told her,
“You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re doing a great job. Some people are just mean — don’t let it get to you.”
She looked at me and smiled a little, tears still in her eyes.
When we went inside, Jessica asked if I could stay with her while she told her manager what had happened. She got upset again as she explained it, but the manager was kind and understanding. I made sure to tell him that Jessica did nothing wrong and that she handled the whole thing with such grace and courage.
Out of curiosity, I asked the manager how many people with special needs worked there. He said,
“We have at least a dozen, and we never turn anyone away who wants to work.”
That answer made me smile. It’s not every day you see that kind of compassion in the workplace.
So here’s a big shout-out to Kroger in New Albany — not just for hiring inclusively, but for creating a place where people like Jessica are valued and supported.
And to Jessica — if you ever read this — you’re amazing. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel small for doing your best. The world needs more hearts like yours. 💙
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