The other day, I was walking into a store and two—we’ll call them scruffy—older gentleman were exiting, both of them seemed down on both luck and mood. One thing that tweaks at my heart is when people try not to meet your eyes, as though they are somehow ashamed or unwilling to be seen. I suppose that’s why so much of my writing is about those kinds of people. Souls who slink through life, feeling either unwanted or unworthy, but are often full of worth and spirit. I always make a point to try to acknowledge all people, unless they just want to be left alone, we all have those days.
So as they passed I said, “Good Morning!” brightly hoping to offer a little, tiny human connection. I smiled at both of them in turn, making sure to get their eyes. They both smiled back, one shyly, the other with surprise. Then as I continued into the store, and they thought I was out of earshot, I heard one of them say, “That smile!”
Made my day.
I remember, many years ago, an interview with Louis Armstrong where he was asked how he wanted to be remembered. Almost before the question was out he said, “Two words: nice guy.”
This paragon of music, this innovator, this giant among greats, had that answer immediately at hand. “Two words: nice guy.”
When I was the director of a children’s cancer charity, I attended too many funerals. They were all brutal, but one kid in particular who we had worked with for over seven years passed away and I watched his sixteen year old friends carry his casket from the church. Brutal. As we waited at the gravesite for the casket to arrive, someone asked that we all say something we loved about Paul, and, almost before the request was out, someone shouted, “Best Hugs!”
That was perfect, Paul was indeed well known for his long and loving hugs. But here’s the thing. He only had one arm, the other had been amputated when he was nine. And yet, hugs were one of the things he was known and loved for. There were many others, he had a magnificent voice, and often sang at our fundraisers to the delight of all who were there. He was generous, he was wise beyond his years as are so many of the children I’ve met with cancer. But that was perfect. “Best hugs.”
I’ve thought about that Louis Armstrong quote a lot over the years. It always made me wonder what my two words would be. “Nice lady? Kind person? Happy soul?” I don’t believe I ever really found something, but now I think I might have.
“That smile.”
If you can make someone’s day brighter,
let them know they’ve been seen.
If you can share a smile with a stranger
that means something.
I will try.
Join me?
Shari, December 7th 2024