The moment I found out my dad passed I was at work on the night shift. My emotions hadn't caught up with me yet, I was still processing everything. After work, I had to stop by walmart in Indio, CA in the morning to pick up things. As I walked in, every single employee that walked by me made no eye contact or if they did, no "hello, good morning, how are you?" More than a dozen if not more. But then there was Antonio.
Antonio was up on a ladder stocking cereal. Antonio stopped stocking and made it a priority to check on me and said "good morning" with a huge smile and asked me, "is there anything I need or can help me with?" I said no thank you and thank you so much for asking. Now I know some of you think that is just basic customer service, but when every single employee you pass sees you as this invisible person, and a simple phrase of a greeting from Antonio, made me feel like what I was going through mattered enough to be visible to him.
As I rolled my cart away, I stopped. I turned back around and walked up to Antonio and said, "I just want you to know my dad passed away a few hours ago and the fact that you spoke to me, even if it was a simple good morning with your smile is something I needed." Antonio climbed down ladder, extended his arms and grabbed me and hugged me. My heart melted. He said whenever you're in the store and I see you I'm gonna give you a huge hug. He said be strong and I'm so sorry for your loss. I hadn't really cried yet, not up to that point even. But my heart felt warm.
As I made my way to self- check out, I asked one of the helpers that I needed to speak to a manager. The manager Erica came out. I said, "Erica, I just wanted to let you know that even a simple good morning or asking a customer if there is anything you need help with, really goes a long way. I told her I'm mentioning this because I didn't get greeted by one single person, but then I ran into Antonio. I lost my dad a few hours ago and for Antonio to simply greet me, ask how my morning is going, telling him about my loss and him hugging me really melted my heart. You never know what a person is going through and I just wanted to let you know Antonio touched my heart in my time of sorrow. And I started crying and Erica hugged me and told me she is so sorry and she is really pleased that Antonio is what her store is suppose to represent. As I was walking out the store I heard Erica call Antonio on the intercom to the front.
I'm not sure the gratitude and praise he got relayed to him but Erica was proud of the kid, I know that much. I'm sure the next store meeting would be to acknowledge customers and a prime example would be from my experience. For me that wasn't enough. When I got home I was swamped in planning my dad's funeral arrangements and papers I had to sign and meetings with the funeral home I had to do. However, in between that, I made it a point to call corporate Walmart to extend their gratitude and they should have recognition from a shopper. The person I was on the phone with corporate was crying with me when I broke down about my experience because they too had lost a loved one month ago. I still have alot going on but on this earth we have beautiful souls who have tremendous hearts and positive energy that transfers to you and employees should be acknowledged. Thank you Antonio and also the manager Erika/Erica.
Antonio, you're a special kid, with a huge heart of kindness. Thank you for not just seeing me as a shopper but seeing me through the eyes of one human being who is in sorrow and asking "if I'm ok" triggering my gratefulness to you.
Antonio works at the Indio Location at Walmart, mornings. If you come across him, just tell him what an awesome kid he is. read more