Strangers........

It's amazing how strangers have a profound impact on our lives at times.

I'm a credit card solicitor and at work last week signed up an older gentlemen for one of our cards. Before he left, he asked me a short question which ultimately snowballed into a plethora of questions and philosophical inquiry. He was a guy in his 60s, born and raised in Windsor, and then moved over to London in his middle age securing a job as a special education teacher at one of the high schools in the city. He was retired now, and began to share his unique perspective and experiences in his life with me. I just stood there and listened, and multiple times he asked me if I needed to get back to work......and although my manager would kill me if she read this, I told him to continue.

I was enthralled by this man's unique disposition, he was very blunt as he tackled issues ranging from social conscience, the recession, family, friends, culture, travelling, teaching, education.......the list went on and on. The issues flowed seamlessly from one to the next representing the unique spectrum of his views and beliefs that he had accumulated over his multitude of years that were now winding down the last few of his life. He laughed when I told him that I didn't want to take any of his time......."I'm retired son" he said, "Time is the only thing I've got now....".

It's funny how the oddest things in our day can make a world of a difference, but we pass by people day in and out without the slightest acknowledgment of their existence. People standing beside us in lineups, sitting beside us in class, walking beside us on the street. I sometimes forget just how big of a difference a simple hello can make in a person's day. We don't have to bend over backwards for people to make a difference. Those of you who have heard about"Free Hugs Day" know what I'm talking about.

One day we will be feeble and old with only our memories to hold onto, and sometimes having someone who listens is all we need. Thanks for giving me YOUR time of day Mr. Fitzgerald, I won't forget your touching words.