Thread by @LBmathemagician

A thread about how we care for one another during hard times:

Cc: @FoodLion @FoodLionNews

#TheNaomiChronicles

In October, far before any of this pandemic was even a whisper, Naomi and I were at our local grocery store, @FoodLion #3814.

We walked by the deli section and Naomi saw...an Elsa cake.

While I was busy looking at butter or bread, Naomi walked behind the deli counter and said,

“Excuse me. I’d like an Elsa cake for my birthday - May 7. I’d like it to be pink, and to say Happy Birthday Naomi. Thank you.”

Now, the deli counter crew there have seen Naomi in the store before, although surprised at her candor. Justin, who was behind the counter that day, kindly said, “We’ll get right on it!”

Naomi skipped off, happy as a bird, feeling like she’d done a grown up thing.

Every time we went grocery shopping, she’d follow the same routine:

Walk behind the counter, request her cake for this day, and wave goodbye.

This same scene played itself out over and over again, every time we got close to the deli counter.

The deli counter crew would all wave, since they by now knew her name and her order by heart. They’d simply reassure her that, they would get her and Elsa cake for her birthday.

When the pandemic hit, Naomi stopped coming with me to the store and I shopped at off peak hours, usually when the deli counter was closed.

Two weeks ago, Chassidy, one of the deli counter regulars was finishing up cleaning behind the deli counter as I was shopping.

My mind was focused on getting the groceries we needed as fast as possible.

Chassidy went out of her way to come say hi, ask how Naomi was, and wanted to make sure I knew they were ready to make her birthday cake, since they knew the date was quickly approaching.
@FoodLion

She let me know that they had reserved the cake topper Naomi requested weeks in advance, just in case they ran out or it went out of stock.

@FoodLion

I thanked her, and as I walked away, I couldn’t help but tear up a bit at the intentionality behind her actions, her effort to SEE Naomi and myself.

@FoodLion

Last week when we went in to order the cake, Jessica was ready as we approached, and as Naomi shared the details of what she’d like, Jessica told her it was sure to be a special cake.

The whole deli crew waved to Naomi as we left that day and told her we’d see them next week.

Today, Naomi and I went to pick up the cake.

The deli crew was ready. The manager had gotten a card and had the whole deli crew sign it, to say Happy Birthday to our sweet girl.

@FoodLion

Naomi clutched the card as if it was a precious treasure.

They wished her a happy birthday, and waved as we left, shouting their well wishes for a wonderful day.

These “essential workers” weren’t just essential because they are there providing food and service during a hard time.

To me, they are essential because of how they treated my daughter like family, how they went beyond expected to care for her on what could’ve been a hard day.

The fact that many of them put in this amount of effort and care FOR MONTHS during a pandemic floors me.

@FoodLion, I hope you honor their service and generosity. This heartfelt story comes with a charge to pay your workers hazard pay, as they did more than required during an already difficult time to meet the needs of their customers, even down to the youngest ones.

May their generosity not be in vain, and may Naomi never forget the kindness of those down the road.

#TheNaomiChronicles

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