11/10/2025
She popped a quarter into the cart lock and pulled it free — one of those small rituals that marked her rare day off the farm. Errands in town weren’t glamorous, but they were a break from sorting herd notes and checking waterers. Inside Aldi she made her way to the dairy section, waiting behind a couple choosing a gallon of milk. They were slow and deliberate in their dairy selections, crossing items off a handwritten list. Their clothes were thin, worn and not nearly warm enough for the biting Indiana cold. She noticed, but didn’t judge.
Farm folks know better than most: you can’t always tell someone’s story by looking from the outside. That’s why we like genomics.
They apologized for being in the way. She smiled. No bother. She had time today. Later, in the checkout line, she found herself behind the same couple. The man was quietly counting bills, checking his pockets.
“I don’t think I have enough,” he whispered to his wife.
She dug through her purse and came up with a few crumpled dollars. Together, they looked at their groceries, trying to decide what they could do without.
The cashier scanned the items and gave the total. The man handed over their money.
“You’re short,” the cashier said gently. “$1.40.”
The couple began reviewing their cart again, trying to choose what to leave behind.
“How much are you short?” the woman behind them asked.
“$1.40,” the cashier repeated.
“Well, I’ve got that,” she said, reaching into her purse and handing over the exact amount. The couple was visibly relieved and thanked her several times. They left with everything they needed.
She chatted briefly with the cashier. They both agreed lightheartedly that everyone’s been there. Farming teaches you humility. You learn to stretch a dollar, to help when you can, and to accept help when you need it.
She packed her bags, returned her cart and retrieved her quarter. Then she loaded her car and settled in for the drive to the bank.
“This car is such a mess,” she muttered to herself, organizing the passenger seat and console. She lifted a tablet and her herd notes from the morning and paused.
There, beneath the stack of papers: $1.40.
Across town, my phone rang.
“Hi, Mom. What’s up?” I asked.
“Boy, do I have a story for you!” she said, her voice full of energy.
I leaned back in my office chair as she told me what had happened. Like her, I got chills.
She gave, and somehow, she got it back.
It was a small amount, but it carried weight. A quiet reminder that generosity doesn’t always go unnoticed; and often, it finds its way back to us.
Whether through a stranger’s kindness or a bit of unexpected grace, the help we offer has a way of returning, just when we least expect it.
For our Angus family, it’s a gentle nudge to keep showing up for each other. Whether it’s $1.40, a word of encouragement or a neighborly favor, generosity matters. Often, it’s enough to make all the difference.
— Lindsay Sankey
