And His Name Was….

There are people in you life that have a way of brightening up your day. You know that ones that bring a smile to your face and perhaps leave you feeling better than when you met them. This was the case for him…..a person that I encountered during a common errand while driving the mom car around with my list to do on very ordinary days.

There are people in you life that have a way of brightening up your day

Perhaps as I tell the story, it may seem minuscule but yet that's what stood out to me. It was simple yet profound. It mattered. It made a difference in my day, and I left feeling challenged and introspective. He had inspired me. "Who?" you ask. "Tell us who you are talking about."

Him….he was nameless up until a week ago, and yet our relationship began when I arrived at my local credit union. He was an employee there. We met in the drive-thru. He greeted me with a friendly hello and took my transaction. He noticed me not just as a customer but as a mom. Before we finished, he asked, "How many kids are in the car? I can't see through your tinted windows." "Five," I told him, and he sent over enough lollipops for my crew. Not just a mix of them, but all the same flavor. I was impressed with his intuition. How could he have known that an uproar might occur over who got which flavor? He finished with "Have a great day" as we departed ways.

Seems simple enough and yet this was the same greeting every time we met, but each time more friendly as if we had known each other for years. "Hey there!! How are you?" He even recognized when I was on my own and commented that it must be nice as a busy mom to get some time alone. He didn't leave me empty handed either. Even with my empty car, 5 lollipops sent over for when I picked up the kids. He remembered there was five. Impressive!



Thoughtful, caring, friendly is how I would describe him. Simple yet profound ways to make a person feel recognized, and I didn't even know his name. I hadn't take the time to be on a first name basis. Yet, I thought highly of him. At one point, I felt maybe I was special until I heard him have the same greeting with the car in the next lane. Nope….he made everyone feel special. Even more reason to admire this young man.

Thoughtful, caring, friendly is how I would describe him.

A couple weeks back I pulled up to bank, and there he was. "Hello sunshine," I thought. I was happy to see "my friend" and the first thing he said was "Oh good, I was hoping to see you this week before Friday." I inquired why, and he went on to tell me Friday was his last day. He had gotten a new job. I didn't want be nosey and ask where, but he continued to carry on how he got a manager job at Tim Hortons. "In the area?" I asked. Didn't want to intrude too much, but I was curious. "No, no. Up in New Baltimore I'll start out at 26 mile location. I used to work there before I came to the bank and now they want me to manage 3 of their new locations they are building." "Great." I responded. I could tell he was excited about the opportunity. Good for him! Someone recognized this young man's potential, and I was happy to know he was moving on to a great opportunity.

I was taken back at his wanting to be open and share this experience with me, and also that he wanted to say goodbye. I had made the list. I would miss my friend. My ray of sunshine who still remained nameless. Surely, I couldn't ask his name at this point. I never had before and felt it was a little too late and out of place at this point. I wished him the best of luck and told him we would miss him. He thanked me, and we departed ways. Who knows if I will ever see my friend again?

I left taking in the conversation just had. The impact he had made on my life. The simple gestures of kindness that he had infused into my days, and I have to imagine so many others. He didn't just do his job well, but he affected people positively in the meantime. He was love with skin on.

Simple gestures of kindness that he had infused into my days

See it doesn't take much to impact a person's day. A simple smile, hello or taking the time to engage and show interest in another human being. Minute ways that we can impact our world. This past week it was sad to go to the bank knowing I wouldn't see his smiling face. I pulled up to make my transaction, and he wasn't there. She was there instead. Cordial, efficient, non invasive…..no judgement. I just noticed the vast difference. 

If we're not careful, we all can be that way. Busy in life, doing our thing, running our course, getting it done but making little to no impact. Life is but a breath and then its gone. I want to be one that makes a difference in my simple, every day life. I want to be like him!

You'll be happy to know I did however take the opportunity to ask her his name. "What was the name of the young man that worked here that left to manage at Tim Hortons?" She opened up and answered. "His name was Scott." "Thanks," I said. I was happy to finally have a name to put with his face.

I was happy to finally have a name to put with his face

Scott oh Scott! I'm going to miss you my friend. Your simple ways impacted my ordinary days and inspired me to live as if everyone I encounter is a friend. God bless you. I'm the more better from having met you. You inspired me. You impacted my heart. I'm grateful for the footprint you made in my life.

As I wrap up this latest posting, it seems fitting to quote these simple words from a very wise woman who lived a self-less giving life that inspired many around the world. May we all live more thoughtfully taking time with simple ways to show love because there are no ordinary days.