While I was in line checking out, today, a man stood in front of me with a cart full of Christmas gift bags, some old spice body wash, and an angel lawn ornament, which was about three feet tall. He was quiet, hands in his pocket, looking down. An older man. Then, his wife came prancing up to him almost like a deer lol. She looked like a well put together lady in her mid to late 60’s. Short, gray bob, perfectly kept. Makeup subtle but graceful and flawless. A casual outfit that looked like it belonged on a catalog model. Perfectly proportioned and in seemingly good health. To go with how well she looked, she had a beautiful smile and such a chipper, bubbly personality. She looked at him and said, “I love it! It’s perfect! But it’s so big, let’s just put it in the house and forget about putting up the tree!” And she looked at me, smiled, and winked. “I’m serious! He got a darn free for our front yard that’s almost as big as the house! I reckon we could just put this angel in the house and be done with it! You see I got these gift bags so I don’t have to fuss with wrapping all the gifts this year. When you get old, you get tired, but you get smart.” We talked about her 17 year old cat that passed away last year. We talked about her three grandkids that she loves to death. The whole time, she just smiled and talked to me as if she’s known me forever. But it wasn’t weird. It wasn’t like those people that over share with strangers and make things uncomfortable. She was just a free spirited, beautiful woman. The whole time, her husband stood there quietly with his hands in his pockets, looking down with a smirk on his face. Total opposite of her. It made me wonder what their story was. I know he must have been proud to have her as his wife. As soon as she came up, it’s like her presence gave life to even the shelves and conveyor belt and candy and magazines. I hope to be like that when I get older. People get worn down as they get older and understandably so. But some people, with age and experience, learn to appreciate life all the more. They get happier. They learn where their focus needs to be. They know what to hold onto and what to let go of. I bet that lady had some stories to tell. She seemed sharp. The smirk on her husband’s face was probably an indication that he would agree. I love chance encounters with strangers that makes me pause and think.

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