Some times we get reminded of the important things by a perfect stranger...

Today started off....well a little off.  It was the second day in a row that I woke up with some insane back pain and a bad case of sciatica.  Needless to say I was not in the best of moods when I headed out to the doctor's office and then to work.  Doc confirmed sciatica and was a little worried about the numbness now involved in it (I'll get that checked out later).  I received a steroid shot and some Toradol and after a couple of hours I felt better. 

In the last few days the garage opener died and so did the washing machine so while Jeremy fixed the garage I headed out to buy a washing machine.  At Lowe's the sales dude was helping an elderly lady while I perused some pretty fancy washers.  I decided on my purchase and tried my best to wait patiently...but I am not so good at this.  Other shoppers that came after me were waiting so we began to chit chat and before long (about 20 minutes) we were friends and laughing and joking with each other.  When it became my turn I quickly proceed to my transaction and headed up to customer service to arrange pick up for later that day.  I was standing in line there and waiting (again) when the sales dude came up to me and just reached out and hugged me.  Normally only special people are allowed in the Christie Bubble but he was insistent and I think he needed it.  He thanked me for entertaining the other four waiting customers while he handled a very indecisive (but loaded) customer and not allowing everyone to get impatient with him.  Apparently once I left they had a conversation about my smile and how it eased the annoyance of waiting.  This made me smile bigger and remember that in any situation we should make attempts to engage our environment and try to make it better for those involved. I hugged him back and he hurried back to his department. 

I then departed for WalMart (the place where evil dwells).  We needed groceries or the children were going to have to eat two small puppies for dinner...and maybe rat food.  When I walked in the normally cheerful old walmart greeter just kind of mumbled his greeting.  So, me being annoyingly gregarious said, "Good Afternoon, How are you?"  and I stopped and waiting for his response.  This is part of this fairly common greeting that we forget these days.  He told me he was okay.  So I told him, "That's Awesome!!" and went and retrieved my much needed groceries.  On my way out I asked him if he was still doing ok.  He said, "No! I am doing awesome.  I was blessed by your smile today!"  He had a huge grin.  It probably matched mine.  This time it was me who gave the huge hug.  He needed it.  It made me happy.  It made me remember that my smile can change the world and that I will never let the world take my smile away.  You never know when someone else needs it.