The man in line.

I was at a Subway restaurant a week or so ago. I was there to get only one thing so I didn’t wait in line with the others who were getting sandwiches. The one thing was a medium Dr. Pepper, extra ice. No one who works there cares what beverage I am getting, or how much ice; they just want to know what size cup. I waited for the Subway worker to find a minute and ask me what I wanted. I often do this at the Subway. I just want a drink sometimes.

I had a few moments, even minutes, to wait for my turn and I noticed a big, tall man at the back of the line…he was in his 60’s I surmised. He had brown hair on the sides. In the middle he was bald. He had blue eyes. He wore a white T-shirt that was kind of wrinkled and some bermuda shorts. He was hard not to notice because of his size. I watched him before he was asked for his order. The person in front of him was a young Hispanic mother holding a very small infant. I watched as the man glanced at this baby while in line…he looked at the infant and he smiled, and made friendly playful gestures with his eyes and face as if to amuse the child in a friendly way. His playful exchange was soon interrupted by the Subway worker’s question as to what he wanted. I didn’t catch all of what was said but he wanted a foot long something with eggs on a flatbread. The part of the conversation I noticed most was how he spoke to the worker. He said “please” after every request and then he said the appropriate “Thank you” at all the right times. He did these things deliberately, not blindly. I don’t know why but he just seemed to be extra courteous and kind. It was a very interesting exchange between peoples who will likely never meet again, the man and the worker, and the infant. I know something significant about this man….at least I feel that it is significant. I know that he likes flatbread, and that he likes red onions and oil and vinegar on his egg sandwiches. But, I also saw in him an attempt to make two human connections that didn’t otherwise seem like much, but they seemed like a lot. What kind of a man is going to connect with a strange infant in a sandwich line….and why? I think he is reaching out to this small infant in some small way. The child will never remember the man or the effort or even his exaggerated smile, but I will. I will remember the dignity with which he treated the Subway worker.

It made me smile and even though it was over a week ago I remember that moment and what it meant to me. Those are small moments but they are powerful….it is so important to take every opportunity you can to convey connection, and kindness and respect and dignity to another person (every person). That, not dollars, is the currency that makes us all wealthy. It is the currency you can give away all day, every day, without making yourself a penny poorer. And, sometimes, there are people you aren’t even aware of who are watching you as you spread your kindness and dignity and order your egg sandwich on flatbread, with red onions and oil and vinegar and “a little bit of spinach, please”. Those people get wealthier, too….

My opinions....