So I just accomplished leg one of a crazy Thanksgiving journey I’m making with my sister-in-law. We decided that instead of flying to Arizona for the holiday, we would make it into a road trip. So we loaded up the car with clothes, a baby, a dog, and more than enough snacks and books than should’ve been needed. We decided to split up the journey into two days, so we just rolled into a hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a ten hour drive. I know that it sounds kind of crazy, but it actually worked out fairly well. Another six hours tomorrow and we’ll be there.
The day has been a lot of bonding time as we’ve hopped from one state to the next and it’s been a ton of fun to run into some interesting people. The conversations can’t be the long, but it’s funny to see the looks I get when I tell them about the trip. Our first stop today was right outside of Wichita Falls and I was able to run into the gas station for a while to entertain Elo while her mom cleaned out the car. The man behind the counter just watched us play and since there was no one else in there, I figured it was ok. He eventually came out from behind the counter and started up a nice conversation. He told me all about his 20 year old daughter and how fast they grow up. It was fun to listen to him reminisce. I’m sure his daughter would have liked it.
Our conversation was broken up when this lady dragged in. I immediately felt for her because she just looked so much older than I think she was and she was just rambling. She told the guy behind the counter about making sure to send the tourists her way (there are no tourists in that town) and she rambled a little more about the town’s history. After a few minutes she left, and I turned to Steve, with a “what just happened?” sort of expression. He just laughed it off and told me she always stopped by and every town had them. I asked him what he did about her and whether or not she hurt business and I loved his reply.
“Well, I guess I take care of her. That’s why she keeps coming back.”
He told me that most people write her off whenever she pokes in, but he listens. He just said that it was a slow town so it would be cruel of him to just push her out. I was totally convicted when I heard him talk because I just thought of how often I blow people off that aren’t even begging for money. Sometimes they just want someone to listen. Sure it’s crazy and sometimes made up information, but that lady walked out of that store a little taller than when she came in.
I thanked Steve for his outlook on this woman and then I walked out of the store a little taller too. I don’t have to be so stingy with my time always. After all, it’s the one area where there is no separation between upper and lower class. We all have the same amount of time…
