Dear Elderly Lady at Costco,
I'm pretty sure neither of us had any idea the impact you would have on me as I sat by your husband at Costco in the food court. But you and your husband absolutely made my day today.
It was through a simple conversation that went like this:
Husband: [as his wife hands him the gelato he was patiently waiting for] So, where's you're husband? I hope he's getting you a treat as good as this one!
Chantel: Oh, actually, I'm single. I'm sitting here waiting for my parents.
Wife: [licking her gelato] Well, you're so pretty that I'm sure you won't have a problem getting a husband soon!
Chantel: [sheepishly] Oh, wow... thank you so much! [starts tearing up, and holds it back]
Husband and Wife both give me the most sincere smiles I've ever seen. And then we wished each other a good night and they were gone, followed shortly by my parents.
Background: I DIDN'T feel pretty. At ALL.
How did you know, Elderly Lady at Costco, that I had just gone to the doctor this morning, and was told 1) I was seven pounds heavier than I thought I was, 2) I didn't have strep and I was just being a wimp about my cold, and 3) that I had just gotten medication that was going to help my face but was causing severe stomach cramps?
So basically, I was feeling like a fat ugly wuss.
And I'm pretty sure that's what I looked like too, just a teenager in a t-shirt and my fat jeans wanting to die, leaning up against my cart at Costco with all the old people who were complaining about their backaches.
So, Elderly Lady at Costco, thank you for your simple, heartfelt comment. I don't think people realize the impact we have on each other, even through the simplest of actions. I wish there were more people like you and your husband in the world. We need more nice people with cute, wrinkly smiles to make us feel better about ourselves.
My pact to you is that I'm going to try and emulate you. There is not enough love in the world these days. I have an assignment for my class to buy a complete stranger a drink. But I want to take it further, I want to make sure all those who come in contact with me leave knowing their worth. I've been way too inward focused lately, and I am going to change that starting right NOW.
I hope someday you will come to realize how you impacted me today.
Sincerely, with best hope for your future,
Chantel Ruby
As shallow as it is, there is NOTHING like being told you're pretty or beautiful. It's amazing. I wish we told people that we think they're beautiful more often because, we're all beautiful! We're all beautiful because we are divine :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could have said that better myself. Thanks, Liz! :D
ReplyDeleteOh Chantel, you are very beautiful and lovely. You have a genuine happiness about you. I glad that I can call you my friend. :) I am glad that the lady told you that, it is always nice to hear it from strangers, especially on days when you don't feel well or pretty. I love you and you are amazing! :) Don't let anyone tell you differently!
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