Huckleberries: Chance encounter restores woman’s faith in people

Huckleberries Wednesday:

Charlotte Mitchell learned two things at the checkout counter of Coeur d’Alene’s Winco. Winco doesn’t take credit cards. And there still are terrific people in this world.

If you ask the patients at Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services, they’ll tell you that Charlotte, a certified nursing assistant, is one of those terrific people, dispensing help, smiles and comfort daily.

On Thursday, she was on her way home from work, when she stopped at Winco for a few groceries – $63, to be exact. She’d left her debit card in a purse at home. So Charlotte tried to pay with a credit card. That’s when she learned about Winco’s credit card policy.

The clerk was about to cancel the transaction when a man in line volunteered to pay for Charlotte’s groceries. Charlotte refused him twice. But the man insisted, saying that he saved up money each week for situations like this. The mid- to late 30s stranger earned a hug, smiles and several thank yous from Charlotte, who noticed that the sales clerk had tears in her eyes, too.

Charlotte didn’t catch the man’s name. So she asked Huckleberries to post this message, in case Sir Galahad is reading this: “God bless you, and thank you again for your kindness, and may you have a happy and healthy life.” Charlotte promises to pay it forward. Full Huckleberries column here.