In which I ponder grace

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the word "grace" in all its many forms, noun and verb, blessing and action. I think about it in yoga class when I'm trying to keep my balance, and I think about it in my daily life--when I'm also trying to keep my balance. And I am trying very hard to see it when it tiptoes across my path. (Grace is very polite. It never stomps or waves its arms or demands attention. It walks quietly and waits patiently to be noticed.)

Yesterday morning I was shopping with my husband and daughter. As we walked from one store to another, we passed an older black gentleman with a duffel bag. For reasons I cannot fathom, the thought flitted through my head that he was a traveler of sorts, and not the casual-tourist variety. He seemed like an old soul who might well be just passing through this life. He was holding a cigarette and patting his pockets as if looking for a match. We exchanged brief nods, and just as I passed him, I heard him say, "Excuse me a moment." I turned, my heart sinking. I was afraid he was a salesman or wanted to ask for a light. Either way, I knew I would only disappoint him.

But I turned back and he simply smiled, a broad beautiful smile, and nodded again in that courtly way that many older men in the south still use to greet women. "I hope that you have a very happy Mother's Day tomorrow, ma'am." And that was all. I smiled and thanked him, and walked away, moved by the kindness of this stranger. It was a very tiny moment, but it was a very large grace. Happy Mother's Day to all of you as well.

Comments

[Roshni]

That was beautiful. Who knew that some people still have a good word to say to complete strangers!? People rarely even smile any more.

[Louisa]

That is so beautiful. Something similar struck me last week, as i was walking home from work in the peak hour inner city traffic. A woman was jogging with her dog beside her on a leash. Every second he would look up at her, just to check. Just - that sense of loyalty, connection, was so beautiful, after a day spent in fluorescent lighting and the urgent, unnatural sound of the traffic honking past.
A man carried my bag down a flight of stairs once, without me even saying anything, then went on his way. People connected to how the little things can totally transform a moment, a life, into a thing of beauty.
Like your blog.
Thanks Deanna, i loved this post.

[Lynn]

I think that we, by our attitude, can invite grace. Do we say hello to all we meet? Do we smile when we meet a stranger on the street? When we lived in Prague a few years ago, it was commonplace to greet everyone we passed on the street with "dobry den," or "good day" in Czech. To be honest, I miss that attitude. If you try something like that in this country, people wonder what you want. And where I live, they're likely to report you as a predator!

[Amanda]

Early last year I was waiting patiently at a drive-through window behind a couple of cars. There was a nice song on the radio and the weather was warm so I didn't mind the wait. Imagine my surprise when I got to the window to learn that the gentlman in the vehicle ahead of me had paid for my order! I didn't know him and I'm sure he didn't know me. The cashier said he did it as a "random acts of kindness".

It made my day, I tell you!I have done it myself a few times since then and it makes me feel better knowing that I made a complete stranger's day better!