In the town where I live there is one small grocery store, a Food Lion, and unless you want to drive 30 minutes to Williamsburg, you run out and get your milk at Food Lion. Right behind the grocery store is a retirement/nursing home.
Every once in a while, when I go into the store, there is an elderly black woman walking around or just standing wearing her big purple bathrobe. She’s always smiling and says hello to everyone. The first few times I passed her she said hello and complimented my daughter, I said thank you and smiled, but I was in a hurry those times. Although I felt badly because I knew she only wanted someone to talk to, I rushed passed her because I was busy and because I figured she would want to keep me there all day. Well the other day I was picking up some milk and the old lady in the purple bathrobe was there by the milk. I had plenty of time that day so I stopped at talked with her. She said hello, told Briar (my daughter) and I how sweet and beautiful we were and then she said bless you and walked off smiling.
It only took 5 minutes to give a sweet elderly woman exactly what she wanted. A moment of conversation and companionship. A friend in a stranger. I know she went off to find another person to compliment and bless. She made me feel good. She made me feel like I helped her or made her happy in some way. Maybe I did, but in doing that she made me happy and I think that’s what she does for all of us, in this little town. If there are angels, I think the old lady in the purple bathrobe is one, passed by, by some but remembered by others.