Noticing People

The other day, I was running some errands and walking past two men delivering appliances off a box truck. One of the men was busy doing paperwork while the other maneuvered a refrigerator on a dolly up a wheelchair-accessible ramp. The ramp could not have been more than an inch wider than the ramp, which had an angled corner to avoid a tree in the front yard. The man with the refrigerator was not a large man, but his plain white tank top exposed arms which must have handled many appliances with ease. He paused and looked down, revealing the crown of his sweat-covered bald head, seemingly frustrated with the man holding the papers. As I walked by, I said, “Nice driving.” The man’s stern face melted into a warm smile, exposing a few spaces that used to hold teeth. I smiled back and continued on my way.

This was a recent event, but it’s not unlike many that I’ve had before. Someone older and wiser taught me the importance of noticing people and acknowledging their value. The reward of a genuine smile like this one has fueled my desire to continue to have many interactions like this one. Events like this one have helped shape me; what events have helped to shape you?