The Little Things

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It's the little things. As I wrote that, I realized how ironic it was that I would write a blog post with that title right now. My family is going through some "big" things right now, none of which are good. I don't feel that it's appropriate to write about it at this point, though I may be more forth coming about it down the road as things clear up and I feel more comfortable with sharing the events on my blog.

Despite the tragic events that occurred to my family over the weekend, I was able to see some light and find joy last night while at work. That is why I want to write such a positive post in the midst of all of the fear and uncertainty that I'm experiencing right now, because one woman I spoke to for less than a minute at work told me exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. I hope that others walking their own paths in their lives - whether that be brightly lit and lined with daisies, or more like the road to Mordor - can find the same brightness that I did from this conversation.

Matthew 5:16 says to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." This is why despite the fact that I may be weighed down with sorrows, I choose to share the joy that experienced. Because no matter what trials and tribulations we face in life, it is still possible with God to have that joy. I have been incredibly blessed with friends and family who support my family and I, and have that to be thankful for on its own, but let's get to the point of this post: being content and full of life and joy despite the state of your life.

Over the summer, I worked the night shift pretty much every day. I got to know our customers, and many of them became regulars. Last night, I met a woman who I had never seen there before. I'm not sure if she's a newer customer, if she's visited our stand regularly since I've started working more in the morning, or if she rarely comes and just happened to stop by last night. No matter the reason, talking to her was the best experience I've ever had with a customer since getting hired. This is how it went:

"How's your week been starting out?" I asked, kind of a typical greeting, but she answered, "oh, it's been a wonderful Monday!" 

This, of course, caught me a little off guard since she said it without even the slightest twinge of sarcasm at all. She was the first person I've met who was genuinely happy it was a Monday. One thing I like to ask people when they say their day is going bad is to ask them about something good that happened to them that day or recently was. In this case, I asked because I really wanted to hear why this woman was so joyful. She smiled at me and said, "well, because it is a wonderful Monday! I woke up today. I'm healthy. I got to babysit my grand kids. I have nothing to complain about. I decided a long time ago to live my life and not let things get me down. We only have so much time here, and I decided to take advantage of it. I don't want to die miserable. I'm happy for my life today, and if I were to die tomorrow, I would go happy."

At this point, I was almost in tears, and her drink was ready. I blinked a couple times and told her, "I'm so glad to hear that. So often people grumble about Monday, or whatever day it is, but I love to hear people like you who are so genuinely excited about life and grateful. I hope you continue to have a wonderful Monday." I handed her the drink and she told me, "I hope you have a wonderful night and a wonderful life."

It was like something out of a movie, honestly. During the darkest time of my and my family's life, I was given one conversation with such a sweet, genuine woman which inspired me to take this situation and share light from it. If I ever see her again, her drink is on me.