Those are some of the sweetest moments, aren't they? The ones which take us out of our own crapulence and allow us to be of service to another . . . transforming the experience for both parties. Wonderful, grif!

I loved this, grif; I really did. When we really "get" these lessons, we are become empowered by life than we can imagine.

Wonderful story Grif. That's not a novel thought to me but you have to keep rememberinig to think like that. that's when the magical things happen. Thank you for putting this back up in the forefront for me.

Ahhh, you old softy, your story making me cry, real tears!!!!!

Yeah, we never know what our purpose is in this life, even at those moments when it should be so obvivious!!!!

Great reminder, and therefore I rate.

And how sweet it is that you were a HERO in her story. A kind stranger. There are plenty of opportunities to be an asshole in someone else's story. But a story where that happened wouldn't make me tear up like this one did.

o grif, that's it. that's absolutely it.

away from ourselves, giving to someone we may never see again, but grateful for the opportunity, to be of help. maybe helps us feel less helpless, ourselves.

just beautiful. thankyou.

Owl – you are so right. Funny how easy it is for me to lose sight of that. Thanks.

cartouche – well said. These moments of clarity are indeed empowering and self-liberating. Thanks.

Trilogy – thanks for stopping and r commenting.

Tink – xoxoxoxoxoox

Bellwether – a kind stranger , yes. And perhaps a hero to her in that moment – but it never felt like that. Thanks for commenting.

Kim – thanks for the kind words my friend.

Hey janie – I started this new financial planning class (Certified Financial Planner) that meets every other weekend on Friday nights (6-10) and all day Saturday and has a ton of reading and stuff. All my OS time has kind of evaporated for awhile. Great to see you.

The "not about me" says it all. Her smile and squeeze of the hand does.

What a wonderful conclusion to come to. If more people realized this it might slowly change the world. I loved this post!

I love these moments. I loved the way you explained it: "I am a character in someone else's story." I am stealing that to add to my collection of inspiring thoughts. Get little capture of one of those snapshots of life that are indeed so precious.

Chuck – you know this well. Thanks.

Lunchlady 2 – thanks for the kind words.

DocSpud – I consider it the highest compliment when someone steals my stuff. Thanks friend.

CrazeCzar – you are welcome. Thanks for reading and commenting.

How I have missed you. Your quietness here was very noticeable, sweetie.

And then this lovely piece. Thank you, dear Grif. Thank you.

(P.S. There's a little patch of green grass on my front lawn today!)

You are a tremendously gifted and insightful man and I like my life better with you in it.

what a wonderful story, told beautifully in five excellent paragraphs. a lovely ending to my sunday reading. so thanks.

my daughter went to duke, so i know your beautiful part of the world. lucky duck. and i don't know how i missed you here, but i'll fix that ... right now (clicking above). see you around!

Oh, yummy magic moments of we. I try to keep these things in mind when I'm running late and imagine I don't have time to stop for someone. When I do, I'm always left knowing I got the better end of the bargain, I get to see the unforgettable smile.

Hi grif. You've hit on a reason that, although I've always had a problem with faith, if someone asks me to pray for them, I do. I just figure if they ask, I can delivery, whatever the outcome. Thanks for the post.

Oh it's all about mememememe. Ask Freaky! but sometimes, I might be in someone else's play in a walk on part. I never think about it. Hmmmm...

I get to be a part of someone else's story almost every day - especially as a Realtor - really does make my day when I get to share in someone else's story. Character and supporting role actors should not be underestimated...

And then you had to go and spoil the kismet by making it your post.

I have one that haunts me to this moment, and maybe I can get rid of it by making it y'all's story.

I'm in one of my Greg Correll moods, suffering old guilts, brought to mind by your story and by the nagging need to talk about things that frighten us.

As a news reporter, I was covering the return of a cruiser from the Mediterranean to its port in Norfolk. It was a hot day, as I recall, and I was feeling uncomfortable in the crowd of families waiting for their loved ones. I got hungry and went to nearest fast-food fry pit to get a sandwich. The place was mobbed. Hungry mouths were queued up at the two cash registers, waiting to order.

I was feeling impatient on top of my irritability, and I was starting to resent everyone who was in my way. This was my story, remember. A young woman pushing a very large, old fashioned baby buggy - it might have been a tandem rider - was in one of the lines. She was overdressed for the occasion in what I recall was a dress with crinoline and taffeta and the kind of material and flourishes you see in wedding parties.

Her presence annoyed me, and the two babies in the buggy annoyed me, and I was especially annoyed when she tried to maneuver the buggy forward after somebody picked up an order and moved away. I was annoyed, remember. I was on the job, and I had an important reason to be there. It was my story.

I butted in front of the damned buggy and got to the counter ahead of her. I remember the look of helpless frustration and defeat on her face as she tried to maneuver this unwieldy buggy in the mass of hungry humanity that simply wanted to get food and split.

Fuck you, bitch, I thought to myself, directing all my anger now at the victim because her stupidity had put her into such an awkward and annoying situation. I got my food and split, never looking back.

It wasn't until I was driving back to the newspaper that I understand what an evil I had committed. The young woman, undoubtedly nervous about seeing her husband after a year's separation, and filled to bursting with anticipation of their reunion and his being able to see his babies for the first time, and she's hot and irritable, but what the hell can she do? She's hungry, the babies are crying, she just wants to get her goddamned food and split. And this horse's ass cuts in front of her, and she's broken. She's a shy woman, not comfortable in confrontation or she'd tell the asshole to fuck off, and she doesn't want to upset her babies any more than they already are, so she just eats the rudeness and accepts her victimhood because what the hell else can she do and still be a good mother and keep everything together until her dear, beloved husband is home and they can fall into each other's arms and weep with joy.

I was a complete shit. And I've never gotten over it. In fact it bothers me more every time I remember it. God, I wish I could go back and stand there in the line next to her and help her get her massive baby buggy through the line and help her get her food. Hell, I'd pay for it.

But I had a job to do. I couldn't spare the time, altho she might've been one helluva great interview. But I was irritated and impatient and hungry. And it was my story, not hers... (r)

waking – you are always so kind and sweet to me. And I am so excited to hear about the patch of green. Spring is happening. Yay! xoxo

Susanne – thanks. I am blushing a little…but a big thanks.

Femme – thanks for the kind words. And a Dook connection seals the deal! See you around.

l’Heure – it truly is always the better end of the bargain.

DB – that’s cool. When I first started to pray at the suggestion of someone I respected I didn’t believe it would make a difference. It changed my life.

Token – that is a fine compliment indeed. Many thanks friend.

Gabby – I think we all are in others’ plays and that includes you. Sometimes I don’t see it right away because of my memememe. Good to see you.

Leonde – you Realtors really do get to step into others’ lives in a brief yet powerful and intense way. Nice way to look at it.

ClarkK – this is an incredible story. Maybe that day she was in your life too, and now you finally realize it. I bet you are different now. That’s the cool thing. I bet you’ve repaid her many times over without realizing it. If not, you will have a chance tomorrow. I promise. I loved your comment.

Lovely moment. Thank you.

Thanks for the reminder.

Well done, Grif -- an eyeopener for everyone.

Grif--This was lovely. I love when something magical happens in those rare and beautiful moments of clarity.

Nice to see you here again!

you had a wonderful gift that day: the chance to be someone's hero. and you were. i love this. you took care of another who was vulnerable, scared, insecure and you may have changed her life forever as well.

written so simply and honestly. perfection.

That was great! It is nice to be lifted out of ourselves from time to time. Like a fresh spring breeze floating in the window.

I have had these kind of experiences too and it's wonderful to move away from the self-absorption that takes up so much of my life. Sometimes it's really not about us, nor should it be.

A beautiful thought...

I know a lot of people who have been the scriptwriters of my life by virtue of nothing more than a few right words spoken at the right time.

I know you are one of the three reasons I decided to stay on and continue posting here. You were one of the three people to comment on my first post back then in Oct 08 ( the other two being undertow and Greg). That response to my very first attempt at blogging made me keep at it.

So yes we are all characters in someone else's story....

Grif: What a beautiful post. Yes it is true. You were a major person in her life at that moment you were there. (Maybe you were meant to be there, not only for her but for you.)
Thank you for posting! Now with that wonderful thought, I'll go to bed.
nighty night
Kim

I love this story, and that it was a moment of transformation--the smallest things that put us on a new path forever.

Thanks all for stopping by and commenting . Had to get some sleep. Will be back later in the day if I can. I've got one of "those Mondays" where I am way overscheduled.

except ours is the only point of view that we can ever have. It is about us being helpful. Ultimately all our jobs, done well, are service.

Nicely done, Grif. Sometimes I live for just those moments.

Lea – you are so welcome.

Cap’n – you too, and thanks for stopping by.

Stan – appreciate the comment.

Eden – those magical moments of clarity are too rare indeed.

MissingK8 – thanks for the kind words.

Painting – it’s always good when I get outside of myself. Thanks.

Emma – I think it’s more often NOT about us than we realize.

Moana – great to see you again! Glad to hear you are keeping at it.

kfujioka – thanks. Sometimes I think that everything happens for a reason and then other times…well…

Stellaa –good point about generosity. Thanks for commenting.

sophieh – those small things are often the really big things. Great point.

geezerchick – not certain that ours is the only point of view we can ever have. Appreciate you commenting.

aim – those are sublime moments. Good to see you.

you have given expression to a powerful, familiar, evanescent feeling. well-done.

Oh, Grif!!! This is so true! You made a difference in her life just by being courteous and then she impacted yours. It's one of the beautiful, magical gifts of life. We can make a difference in each other's lives. We just have to be willing.

Grif-I do believe that you are a character in a great many stories, but it can still be about you, as well as the one who owns the story. This particular story gives that premise much truth, and me, many smiles.
R

Greg- thanks for stopping by. Appreciate your comment.

GG- I totally agree with the willingness part. Thanks for stopping by.

junk1-agreed, and glad for the smiles.:-)

What an inspiring perspective! I'm so glad I read this.

Lainey - thanks for stopping by and commenting.

This is cool. I'm going to catch myself thinking about this one a lot, I think. I tend to feel this way every day at one point or another.