I Really Like Your Sweater
A few weeks ago I was getting on the elevator in an apartment building for senior citizens. No, I don’t live there..although in a few months I will be officially old enough to be a resident there if I wished to be. 😊
As I stepped on the elevator, a tiny little woman smiled at me. I would guess her age at around eighty, possibly a bit older. She was wearing a bright red sweater with a matching set of Christmas earrings and necklace. In my mind I imagined her carefully picking out her day’s outfit and finding the perfect matching jewelry. I smiled at her and said “I really like your sweater, it’s beautiful”.
Her eyes brightened, her smile widened, and she began to tell me the whole story of when and where she got the sweater. She told me that she had just been downstairs to check her mail. Now, I’m not sure if she got all dressed up just to do that, but it wouldn’t surprise me. She was still talking when I reached the third floor, which happened to be the same floor she lived on. We stepped off the elevator and I continued to visit with her for a few minutes.
When I finally ended the conversation, she thanked me for visiting with her. She THANKED me for visiting with her. This could have been a silent elevator ride. I may well have been the only other person she came in contact with that day, and what if I would have simply ignored her like so many people do these days?
I thought of my grandmother who lived in that same building before she passed away eleven years ago. This lady reminded me of her. I noticed this lady’s sweater and I let her know that I liked it. I noticed her and I acknowledged her. It was something so simple, but it made her day..and it made my day, too.
My pledge for the new year is to acknowledge people more. So many times I notice something I like about someone (clothes, hair, whatever), but don’t take the moment to tell them. Something so simple that can help a person feel a little bit better about themselves. I’d also like to challenge all of you to do the same. Chances are you’ll put a smile on their face, and yours as well. 😊
Happy New Year!
