The video clip was a riot. We call Amazon Alexa "The bitch," so "she" won't know we're talking about her. 😂 I so agree about encounters, Blair. I make an effort to get eye contact when I thank the grocery store bagger, for example. I want them to know I appreciate the job they do, which makes my life easier. I want them to know they matter. It's pretty simple, really.
“They seemed happy. I felt sad.” YES! because you, on the other side of 40, an emissary from gen x, understand something they can’t see yet! i love everything you’ve written here and cherish those encounters. also, beware, the idiots are pioneering AI therapy, mistaking the right suggestion or thought pattern for the profundity of being received.
Brooke. AI therapy IS terrifying! Talking about endangering the encounter! Thanks for chiming in and pointing out that as a GenXer I actually have wisdom to share rather than old-fashioned perspectives. We need to keep these truths alive! xo
Early Tuesday morning I take a rare trip to the small local grocery. I’m familiar with almost every clerk there because I always ask them questions - although I don’t think we know each other’s names. And yet. I take my items to check out. I ask the man working this morning - 30-something - “How are you?” He pauses with an empty gaze. “Oh, okay.” I’ve “known” this fellow for years and only in this context. After I pay and start to gather my things, he says, “You know I paused there because, because, well, my close friend committed suicide last month. And I think it still hits me unexpectedly.” I mostly sympathize and let him talk. We talk about memorializing* his friend, letting the waves come, not trying to “get over it.” And then another customer walks up. The cashier just looks straight into my eyes. “Thanks,” he says. “Thanks for telling me,” I say. The encounter has stayed with me, obviously. Maybe it did with him, too.
This is so poignant Jeff. Thank you for taking the time to write it out. This is exactly the kind of encounter that makes me feel hopeful and through your sharing, the encounter will stay with me, too.
‘Eyes are the gateway to an encounter.’ What a fabulous way to describe our daily interactions. That’s a phrase I’ll think about from now on. ‘Eyes are the gateway to an encounter.’ Thank you, Blair!
This is absolutely beautiful. So powerful and so needed. Thank you for writing this. So much love to you and… for you.
Thanks for kind words and constant championing Amy. It means the world. Love to you. And Ken.
The video clip was a riot. We call Amazon Alexa "The bitch," so "she" won't know we're talking about her. 😂 I so agree about encounters, Blair. I make an effort to get eye contact when I thank the grocery store bagger, for example. I want them to know I appreciate the job they do, which makes my life easier. I want them to know they matter. It's pretty simple, really.
Totally. It is simple and it works. Thanks for chiming in Karen.
“They seemed happy. I felt sad.” YES! because you, on the other side of 40, an emissary from gen x, understand something they can’t see yet! i love everything you’ve written here and cherish those encounters. also, beware, the idiots are pioneering AI therapy, mistaking the right suggestion or thought pattern for the profundity of being received.
Brooke. AI therapy IS terrifying! Talking about endangering the encounter! Thanks for chiming in and pointing out that as a GenXer I actually have wisdom to share rather than old-fashioned perspectives. We need to keep these truths alive! xo
Early Tuesday morning I take a rare trip to the small local grocery. I’m familiar with almost every clerk there because I always ask them questions - although I don’t think we know each other’s names. And yet. I take my items to check out. I ask the man working this morning - 30-something - “How are you?” He pauses with an empty gaze. “Oh, okay.” I’ve “known” this fellow for years and only in this context. After I pay and start to gather my things, he says, “You know I paused there because, because, well, my close friend committed suicide last month. And I think it still hits me unexpectedly.” I mostly sympathize and let him talk. We talk about memorializing* his friend, letting the waves come, not trying to “get over it.” And then another customer walks up. The cashier just looks straight into my eyes. “Thanks,” he says. “Thanks for telling me,” I say. The encounter has stayed with me, obviously. Maybe it did with him, too.
This is so poignant Jeff. Thank you for taking the time to write it out. This is exactly the kind of encounter that makes me feel hopeful and through your sharing, the encounter will stay with me, too.
Also give a gift of a smile. Goes a long way. Thank you BG.
Agreed! Nice add on. Although sometimes, if you’re a woman, the suggestion to smile rubs the wrong way…
‘Eyes are the gateway to an encounter.’ What a fabulous way to describe our daily interactions. That’s a phrase I’ll think about from now on. ‘Eyes are the gateway to an encounter.’ Thank you, Blair!
👀💕