After a morning of the typical Saturday grind of laundry, sheets, toilets and floors, feeling a little frumpy and overwhelmed, I decided to take a break and go to the mall. The hours of writing and worry are taking their toll this week.
I take an extra long hot shower, shave my legs, sport my best bra and panties, slather on my favorite body lotion from head to toe, throw on my heels and fav jeans. Next, my lucky Banana Republic jacket and scarf. I take extra time with my make-up, hair and say "what the hell" out loud while painting on a rare set of crimson red lips.
I grabbed my sunglasses and took off in my car with Nora Jones "Turn Me On" cranked on the CD player.
Once in the mall, I return some shoes, stroll through some shops and buy myself a Starbies when I feel a slight touch on my arm which startles me. Looking up I stare into the clear blue eyes of a very old man.
"Are you Miss America he asks"? smiling...
.
"What"? I asked confused.
"Are you Miss America...because if you aren't you should be. I watched you walk through here glowing like a shining star...you're a beautiful young lady..absolutely stunning shining like that..."
He stood smiling. From ear to ear in the sweetest most genuine way.
"Are you married? Or just happy"? He asked with a wink.
Before I could answer, he put a knobby finger gently on my lips and said "Shhhh don't answer...because whatever fellow is lucky enough to have your heart, has a lucky horse shoe in his back pocket....."
He picked up my hand, kissed it and walked away.
I don't know why it hit me, one simple comment from a stranger, but I cried in my car because it touched me so. This man wasn't hitting on me, had no ulterior motive, wasn't buying me a drink to pick me up, hell he didn't even have a bad combover.
He just said it because he had to.
No strings attached, no expectations. He said I was pretty because he thought so. He owed me nothing and could have just walked on by never saying a word.
I imagined him as a young man sliding a tiny silver box across the table of a beautiful woman, smiling... telling her how beautiful she was tonight in the glow of holiday lights.
He tells her because he had to.
I imagine him as my own father as a young man, throwing me in the air while I squeal with laughter hugging his neck. He smiles at me and brushes a blonde lock of hair away from my eyes and says "your beautiful..."
The power of a strangers words made me remember that chivalry is not dead. He is at the mall in a red shirt, smiling simply because he has to.
1 comment:
If I put on my lucky boots, can I go to the mall with you next time?
LOL!
Seriously, I cried while reading it. We need to hear we are genuinely beautiful especially on the days we miss it.
Thank you for the post!
Post a Comment