At work everyday I have the privilege of interacting with cute little grannies and grampies. Some days there are grumpy ones, very forgetful ones, those who can barely walk or stand up straight...the list goes on and on. There are a few of them with stories that break my heart and then there are those who are still so in love with life or their spouse that they are practically dancing down the aisles and up to the counter with their walkers and canes. Yesterday I encountered a Grampy like this and he left me thinking about a lot of things. He had me worried that he was going to topple over from the second he walked into the store so I kept a close eye on him and noticed that he didn't quit smiling once...NOT ONCE!! There I was complaining because I couldn't get the dang receipt totals to add up right and there he was barely able to walk and he was grinning from ear to ear. I lost track of him for a while and then i saw him start his long slow walk to the front counter where I was standing. Our conversation went like this...
me: How are you doing today?
grampy: I am doing absolutely wonderful! How are you?
me: I am doing great! It is always a good day at work when people smile like you do!
grampy: You know what honey, my legs are killing me and I can't stand up straight but why in the world should I let that ruin my day? I could complain about how much my legs hurt when I stand and when I sit too but every time I think about something like that I am reminded that there are thousands of people out there who don't even have legs at all!
me: Wow. That is so true! Thank you for sharing that with me. It sure is a reality check to think about someone less fortunate.
grampy: It sure is dear, I am pretty darn grateful for these aching legs of mine!
After saying this he just gave me a little wink and out the door he went. I don't think this little grampy will ever know how much what he said impacted me. It may not even have an impact on you as you read it but it sure hit me hard. The rest of work I stood there thinking about what he had said and how it has sparked a little something in me to pay more attention to how grateful I am for something as normal as two legs that get me around. I know this is a lot of words without any pictures but I a sure happy that I got to talk to that little grampy! Maybe what he told me will get you thinking about things just as I did!
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