An oil painting in progress by t. j. nixon . Inventory : i went into the store today taking stock of goods on the shelf . On this shopping expedition nothing really special caught my eye . Pushed around an empty shopping cart up and down busy isles . Occasionally making eye contact or passing on a timid smile . Most shoppers seemed content and already made choices with full shopping carts . Holiday weeks are always times full of bustling and expectations . Walking down the last isle of goods i let go of my shopping cart . Looking back as i walked away another shopper had already taken hold of the cart ,filling it full with hopes and dreams ! Happy Holidays to all .