Saturday, May 7, 2011

MEET ME ON THE PLAYGROUND

While at dinner with friends the other night, I shared my "lunch story."
As I waited out front of the restaurant for my friend, a man approached me and said, "if you don't have anyone to eat with I would love for you to join me."
I smiled and thanked him for his kind gesture. About the same time my girlfriend walked around the corner. "I heard that," she smiled. 
My husband didn't see the humor, but our friends at dinner thought it was funny. One of my friends said to my husband, "it's just her smile. She smiles at everyone."
My husband shared, "I know, but when we are in a store, I'll go down one aisle and when I catch up to her again, there is always someone there trying to help her."
I shrugged my shoulders, "They usually think I'm lost."
My husband continued, "we have been in the check-out line, lots of times in fact. People will turn around to talk to her and share the most personal stories about their family, friends or themselves. We walk out of the store and I ask her, 'who was that' ?"
I raised my eyebrow and smiled.
"She always says, I have no clue. I've never seen them before in my life."
I'm sure it goes back to when my own children were growing up. I used to tell them to pay attention to other people. Notice if someone is eating alone or by themselves on the playground. Invite them to join you, or if they are shy, join them.
You never know what is going on in someones heart by the look on their face.
Proverbs 11:25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
I didn't like Grandma's advice when I was a child, but one of the things she used to say to me is "You have to be a friend to have one."
Maybe there is still some of that little girl in me. I'm inviting you to meet me on the playground.  

2 comments:

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

My best friend is like that. Total strangers tell her the most personal details of their lives. It's amazing. Which proves I can pick em! Great post, Katt.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy,
You are that friend on the playground too----I KNOW you reach out to everyone----you are so special.
Hope you are having a great Mother's Day!
Hugs
Katt