I snapped this photo with my cell phone as I was on my way to town a couple of months ago…
That’s two women fishing together out there on the point, and I just thought it was such a fun thing to ride by and see. I pulled my car over, and called out to them through my window: “Y’all look so cute! Can I take your picture?” They both laughed and looked back at the lake, so I snapped a couple of pictures and we exchanged waves as I drove away.
I think I must have smiled for the next five miles straight because of those gals. 🙂 It’s just not something you see every day, ya know?
But don’t you love it when that happens?!
You’re just “doing life”, and all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of a moment that feels so random-meets-remarkable? Those things have such a crazy powerful and positive effect on me.
A few years ago, my mom and I took a road trip together. We drove several thousand miles from start to finish, and we had lots of great conversations along the way. We visited family in Minnesota, and stayed at Camp Wandawega in Wisconsin on the way back home. I’ll cherish those memories forever! Even the little tiny one that springs right to the front of my mind every time I think about that trip. It doesn’t have anything to do with where we stayed, or who we visited. It’s not one that I could’ve planned, and like the fishing friends, I didn’t even see it coming until I was right there experiencing it.
I can’t remember what state we were in, but my Mom and I were seated at a table near the ‘Pay Here’ counter at KFC. I could see the register over my Mom’s shoulder. We were talking about who-knows-what, when out of the corner of my ear, I tuned in to a conversation between the cashier and a satisfied customer.
The cashier was a sweet little thing, maybe in her late-60s or so.
The customer looked like he was in his 40s, and I remember thinking he looked like a hard-workin’ man.
The customer told the cashier that he just had to come back up and tell her how much he enjoyed his meal. “It was just absolutely delicious, and you guys outdid yourselves today!“, he raved.
The cashier beamed from ear to ear as she reached for his tray and told him she was so glad he enjoyed it.
Like moisture when it’s humid, I could literally feel happiness in the air right then. I fought hard to not get up and hug ’em both- ha! (Note: I do not always win the battle against the bear hug.)
My eyes welled up as they went about their ways, and I loved sharing with my Mom what had just happened over her shoulder.
Funny how hearing somebody say something nice to someone else can not only make their day, but it can also make your day, too. 🙂
Those kinds of moments are happening all around us, all the time. Ones that make us feel lucky, and alive…and like Gifts if we slow down long enough to let our hearts tether to them.
Amazing how fishing friends and a fast food joint can do that. 🙂
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