This morning I took my littles to their last STEM class for the school year. It was on Robotics. They got to build their own robots as teams, and they seemed to really enjoy it.
When we first got there this morning, we parked the car and began the trek to the building where the class is held. As we started down the pathway, a woman–another Mama I’m assuming–was walking towards us. We caught each other’s eyes and smiled. I nodded and as she passed she smiled again, and then was gone.
But her smile has stuck with me all day.
I didn’t know her. I may never see her again. But there was something about her, the way that she carried herself, that was intriguing.
It was like–
it was like she was comfortable in her own skin. With her lot in life. Like she was not sorry for the joy she feels getting up in the morning.
It was almost like being a World Greeter is her J O B.
You know, like the Wal-Mart greeters? They are some of the most precious folks I know. The one I know best, I guess, is Miss Mary. I will go out of my way just so I can speak to her, ask her how she’s doing, and have her say, with her smile and unique manner, “Hello. Welcome.” She doesn’t know my name, and whether or not she actually remembers me from visit to visit is debatable, but her welcome and her expression makes me feel as though she does.
Wouldn’t that be awesome? If we had World Greeters or maybe Day Greeters–folks who welcome us to our life each day and ask if there’s anything they can do to help make the experience even better?
What would that look like for us to be that for each other?
Pretty doggone cool, I’m thinking.
Tonight I’m thankful for folks whose joy overflows onto the paths I walk on. For folks who are always there when I call or let me know when they’re not, just in case. For smiles from strangers and from folks I love. For birthdays of good friends and songs on the radio that stir my soul. For movie previews of books I love that have me ready to BUY MY TICKET NOW. For classes on robots and the little people who will one day take that knowledge and do amazing things. For friends with musical talent and texts that have me laughing for days. For ideas of what to cook for supper that arrive earlier rather than later and for all the fixings close at hand. Most of all, I’m thankful for people who know me and call my name. I think I might have finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.
A World Greeter.
Welcome, folks. How can I help you find your way to fabulous today?
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 