On Friday, I was taking the dogs for a walk at lunch time when I ran into someone that randomly brightened my day. I do not know this woman. She was standing outside one of homes around the corner from the hospital, just kind of staring ahead of her towards the street. When we were approaching, she smiled. I smiled back and may have said something like, “How’s it going?” I may have just smiled; I can’t remember at this point. Her response was, “You know, I really wasn’t having a very good day, but then I saw you and your dogs, and it’s a little bit better now.” I told her that I was glad we could make her improve her day some and that I hoped it continued to improve from there.
It was a simple thing on her part, to say that our presence made her day better. I don’t spend time really ever considering how small interactions can have a positive impact because we all know that I am much more of a pessimistic person (although I prefer to think of myself as a realist) and am forever complaining about how small exchanges, verbally or behaviorally, just frustrate me and make my blood boil. (I’m sure that I do and say plenty of my own things that bring up similar emotions in others; I’m certainly not blameless there.) It was a nice change.
I also find it interesting that a complete stranger felt compelled to admit that she was having a bad day. No one ever does that. Maybe to those that know them best or that they’re most comfortable with, but usually not to a stranger or even an acquaintance. The more typical exchange is, “How’re you?” “Fine. You?” “OK.” Everyone moves on to the next thing on their to-do list from there. I’m sorry that she was having a rough time of it, but her honesty was refreshing at the same time.
Here’s hoping that I can take the little spark she gave me on Friday into this week and bring a little light into other people’s lives and days. It’s going to be a little bit of a sad week, as we’re saying, “Good-bye, and good luck!” to our second receptionist in two weeks. Both are wonderful as people. Both are fantastic at their jobs. Both of their new hospitals are incredibly lucky to have them. The one is already missed (and hopefully having a very smooth first day at her new hospital today). The one leaving this week is Rookie’s Friday lunch buddy, and he has no idea that last Friday was their last lunch date. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to call each of them a coworker.
“It’s a tough life, and It’s the little things that get us through the day.” ~ Jeffery Deaver
