Cashier's Kindness Comforts Grieving Mother at Trader Joe's

In September 2024, Brittany Defer faced the unimaginable when her 7-year-old son, Bodhi, suffered a febrile seizure and was declared brain dead after three days in the hospital. Defer describes this as the "most heart-wrenching experience" of her life.

Since Bodhi's passing, Defer has found solace in visiting his grave a few times a week. After dropping off her older children at school, she visits Trader Joe's, selects colorful flowers, and arranges them into a bouquet to bring to Bodhi's resting place. "His resting place is beautiful, and it is a way to connect and be close with him," Defer says.

In October 2025, as Defer was waiting in line at Trader Joe's to purchase flowers for Bodhi's grave, she started crying on the phone with her husband. To Defer's surprise, the cashier overheard the conversation and responded with sincere compassion. He encouraged Defer to let out her grief, offered her a bouquet of red roses (Bodhi's favorite color), and reminded her that she would see her son again someday. The cashier's kindness and understanding during Defer's darkest moment left a lasting impression, reminding her that "sometimes it's exactly what you need to keep going."