As I was leaving Wal-Mart on Wednesday morning with a cart full of groceries and other necessities, I experienced something rare in today’s fast-paced society. A little girl was walking beside her mother’s cart through the parking lot, one hand gripping the side so as not to get in the way of traffic.

We reached the spot where my car was parked at the same time and I pulled off to the side to let them pass before opening the rear cargo door.

The little girl looked at me, smiled, and said, “Excuse us.” The polite words took no prompting from her mother. The little girl had been taught manners.

I replied, “Certainly,” and they passed.

I thought afterward that perhaps I should have stopped her mother and told her how nice it was to hear polite words coming from such a young girl.

You might wonder what this has to do with reality TV.

The Man on the Couch and I sat down to eat dinner and watch NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” on Wednesday night. Piers Morgan is right when he says that this is the most talented season yet and we can’t get enough.

As they played the preview clip for 4-year-old singer Kaitlyn Maher I commented that I was surprised she was still in it and thought she was a little too young to be competing for a chance at Vegas.

But then she took the stage.

The judges are right when they say this little girl has the power to make you want to smile and cry at the same time. She tugs at your heartstrings, and not necessarily because of her tiny singing voice, although she never makes a mistake or forgets the words.

No, we love her because she’s poised, has manners and never shows any attitude even when being criticized by the judges. She always tells them she’s having fun and practiced hard– something we all should learn to do a little more.

Do I think Maher will win it all? No. But does she have something to offer? Definitely.

By the way, all satellite nightmares appear to have been resolved with new service and a new DVD player now graces our living room thanks to an early birthday present from my Nana. So watch out reality TV. I’m back in full force and ready to watch.