It was one of those unseen transactions, and I had the privilege of being the only seer. Even though this was a very public place, sometimes the public places are, well, too public. People are taking care of bid-ness, and moving about in their transes; I was no exception.
Until she walked by.
She was about 6 years old and it was about 6:00 p.m. For people in my adult world, that’s quittin’ time, dinner time, or whatever kind of time doesn’t require a whole lot of energy. I had just entered the local Christian bookstore, looking for a particular book. She was leaving behind me as I stopped at the bargain table. (I always graze at the bargain table of a book store.)
Still in her school uniform, she wore saddle oxfords, a plaid skirt, and white sweater. I never saw her face, but her thick, curly, shoulder-length hair looked both lovely and difficult-to-maintain.
Mama was finishing up at the cash register, and she decided to go ahead, out the automatic glass doors into the foyer. Passing through, she flung her arms open wide and shouted “Hello world!”
Did I mention that it was 6:00 in the evening?
I want to be like that. Whether it’s 6:00 in the evening or 6:00 in my life.
I may rest up, but I don’t want to shut down.
I may take a break, but I don’t want to break my connection to the world around me.
I may narrow my focus, but I never want to narrow my mind.
My arms may get heavy, but I never want to hesitate to spread them wide open to a world of possibilities or people who matter.
I have a new friend. I don’t know her name, haven’t actually met her, and will probably never see her again. But if somebody gives me such a priceless gift, just by being themselves, how can I call her anything less?
Hello world!