You never know

I must have looked like I had seen a ghost. I am sure I was pale faced, and I know my knuckles were white as I stepped onto the plane. It was my first plane ride. I kept my eyes on the seat numbers. I was hoping to find my seat quickly, and start to settle down. Out of the blue a lady took me by surprise. She cupped my hand in hers. She warmly patted the top of my hand, and sweetly said, "It's going to be alright Dear." I smiled, and I am sure I muttered a "thank you".

She was right, I found my seat and the flight was fine. That was over 20 years ago. I still find myself thinking of her often. I think of her when I am planing to board an airplane. I think of her when ever I feel anxious. I think of her when I see a Kindergartner waiting in line for the first day of school. A sweet lady, a stranger, who reached out to calm my nerves. I revisit her kind words, "It's going to be alright Dear." I doubt that she even remembers that moment in time.

I have been thinking lately about the people who touch our lives. There are the people we can name; teachers, friends, family, heroes. There are also people who come and leave our lives without a name. Strangers, who by their actions touched us and changed us.

There is the bagger at the grocery store. The one with the kind eyes, and great since of humor. You might know him. He is the one that is working through his retirement, and his wife is battling cancer. You see the love in his eyes when he talks about her. There is the lady at the gym that is always happy I came in. She is the one with the easy smile and warm welcome. There is the man with no name who runs. He runs to work, the store, Blockbuster. He runs everywhere and in every weather. He doesn't have a car, but cherishes his independence. There is also the man holding the crab in the picture. We met him on our vacation last year. He was kind and full of patience. He let Nicholas take this picture, and gently reminded me that Nicholas can do for himself.

Your list will be different then mine, but I am sure you have a list. Who knows, maybe your on someone elses list.




The following is a little something I have held on to for a long time. The author is unknown.

You Never Know

You never know when someone
May catch a dream from you.
You never know when a little word
Or something you may do
May open up the windows
Of a mind that seeks the light-
The way you live may not matter at all,
But you never know -it might.

And just in case it could be
That another's life, through you,
Might possibly change for the better
With a broader and brighter view,
It seems it might be worth a try
At pointing the way to the right-
Of course, it may not matter at all,
But then again - it might.