Stranger eyeing shopper's peanut butter can, jokes he must be 'living good' — and it opened his eyes
Brown noted that the stranger didn’t mean to be sarcastic and made her remark with thoughtfulness.
We often forget to count our blessings when we’re caught up in the problems and challenges of life, and it takes a bittersweet reminder to realize all that we still have to be grateful for. Misha Brown, who goes by Dontcrossagayman on Facebook, shared a poignant exchange between him and an elderly shopper at the supermarket. He was casually purchasing groceries and adding items to his shopping cart when the stranger approached him with an unexpected statement. What began as an unassuming gesture on November 7 led to a humbling conversation that left the man recounting every good thing in his life.
Brown explained that he casually picked up a jar of peanut butter and put it in his cart while shopping. An elderly woman who observed him said, “Oh, you must be living pretty good getting that!” He was initially confused. It was just some peanut butter. Everyone can get that if they want to, right? But he was wrong. When he asked the woman what she meant, she said, “Well, if I didn’t have to worry about money, I’d get the luxury brand name like Skippy.” Brown was forced to stop and ponder her words for a bit. He noted that the stranger didn’t mean to be sarcastic and made her remark with thoughtfulness.
Pondering the situation, he was moved to respond with kindness. “So I picked up another jar and said, ‘Why don’t we both live good today?’” he recalled. The woman gleamed with joy, as if a little child had just received their favorite candy. “Her eyes got about as big as the lid on the jar,” Brown exclaimed. The elderly woman refused, assuring the man that she wasn’t hinting at something like that; she was simply making a joke. In all his gentleness, he invited her to walk along as he finished shopping. As they passed the aisles, they got into a random conversation and learned more about each other.
“A few things I learned about Ms. Cindy while we walked around: She’s a retired social studies teacher. She lives on a fixed income, but is grateful for what she does get. She has 3 grandchildren who “keep her young,” and she has never been on TikTok,” he revealed. After their shopping, the woman insisted on paying for her own groceries. Respecting her integrity, he let her pay for her stuff but gifted her all the ingredients to enjoy some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. “And in true Ms. Cindy fashion, she let me know that she’s sharing with her neighbor and her kids,” he wrote, adding a photo of her text from later that day. It showed her table spread featuring those infamous sandwiches, writing "This is a special treat."
According to the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, 13.5% (18.0 million) of U.S. households were food insecure in 2023. 6.8 million households had very low food security, and with each year, these numbers keep rising. So yes, affording a good peanut butter brand is not a staple for all. The man realized something bittersweet yet beautiful as he ventured home after that shopping trip. What he had may seem less than the world, but was sure more to many. “Little gifts to you might not be little to others,” he wrote. It left him and many on the internet with the reminder to be filled with gratitude for what they have.
Cheryl Hayden Balisciano said, “It just proves that it really does not take extravagant measures.” Tyra Canary added, “Have to say, I never thought it was a privilege to eat Skippy. I’m humbled today.” Kathy Briggs remarked, “I love that you are spreading a bit of joy wherever you go. Glimmers! You did not provide that woman with just peanut butter.”
More on Scoop Upworthy
Delivery driver overwhelmed with joy and gratitude at the wholesome gesture made by a homeowner
Grieving family overwhelmed with gratitude after high school students fix their late father's Jeep
Share on Facebook
