Image: Julie Parker – Heart and Soul matters.
New York City is a place where strangers dance to the rhythm of gift-moments-in-motion. A brief exchange—the world shifts—and we continue on our way, all the better for having crossed paths.
In midtown for an early meeting at Pret A Manger, I decided to buy a lunch salad before leaving for my next appointment. As I stood in front of boxes neatly lined up for perusal, the lunch crowd began filing in. A man in a bit of a hurry chose something from the case and turned his attention to a basket of chips directly in front of me at the edge of the refrigerated section. Where are the…? he murmured to himself, picking up one small bag after another and putting it back. I noticed that he rejected the flavored varieties. Shortly after, he gave up and headed to the cashier.
Since I had observed his intention, I put my salad search on hold to walk the length of the display, peering into other metal baskets for plain potato chips. They must be here somewhere, I thought as I took note of BBQ, Chipotle and Vinegar. Then, at the far end of the far basket, I caught sight of Sea Salt in a bag with a simple blue stripe. I picked up the bag and headed to the counter where I thought I saw the man among the payees. I hoped I wasn’t too late.
As I edged up behind him, I asked, Were you looking for plain chips? He answered without turning around, Yes. Then, in one simple motion, he pivoted, took the bag from my hand while looking me in the eyes, and said happily, Thank you. You’re the best. He spoke it like we were old friends.
Later that day, I found myself feeling so uplifted. Someone thought I was the best! Wow. Maybe I am, I laughed to myself, re-living that moment through the image of his light-filled, green eyes.
Meanwhile, on the Upper West Side, a friend of mine experienced her own unexpected gift encounter. She writes: I was wearing a new jacket that I bought in Seattle. It’s a sort of deep aqua color with light aqua trim. Near 70th Street, I passed a middle-school field trip. One girl turn to me and said, “I like your jacket. The color is pretty.” I thanked her, and then the girl next to her said, “I like the scarf.” Another round of thanks, and a boy chimed in, “Actually, the whole look works.” Made me smile all day!
What are the calculated odds of being complimented by one middle-schooler, let alone three? We have such power to affect one another in the simplest gestures. Perhaps this is one graceful way we learn together, moment by moment, the effortless choreography of the loving heart.