When Barbara Glanz gave a motivational speech on customer service to 3,000 employees of a large grocery chain, she had no idea the degree to which she would inspire Johnny. As Johnny later said, “I’m a bagger at the grocery store and I have Down syndrome. What can I do? I’m just a bagger.”
But Barbara had inspired Johnny! Since Johnny loved quotes and sayings, he decided to pick out a favorite saying each day. Johnny’s dad printed the daily quotes on strips of paper and Johnny signed the back of each slip. As Johnny bagged a customer’s groceries, he’d drop the note in one of the bags and say, “I hope you enjoy my quote of the day.”
It wasn’t long before the store manager noticed that there was always a line at the checkout lane where Johnny bagged the groceries. When additional lanes were opened, most customers insisted on staying in Johnny’s lane. In fact, one lady said, “I used to come to the store once a week and now I come two or three times a week just to see the smile on his face when he drops in his favorite quote!”
Granted, Johnny was just a bagger at the local grocery. But he had a powerfully positive impact upon the people he met each day. You and I…we too can brighten the lives of those we encounter on a daily basis.
