Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Opportunity?.... or Interruption?

Today I visited the U.S. Postal Office. 
You know, the archaic mode of communication known as the mail. 
I entered to find a line winding through the foyer filling the room. It was moving at an agreeable pace until I was the next to be assisted. I stood for a few minutes content with the situation. This in itself surprised me. Typically I would be easily frustrated that my daily, time-allotted, minute by minute schedule was being disrupted. Instead I was not in a rush. I turned to the lady behind me, dressed in a ripped t-shirt, and obviously disgruntled by the nuisance, and light-heartily remarked about the wait. She went on to express her frustration. Somehow we transitioned to talking about her kids and how expensive college was and how impossible it is to find a good job these days...and on and on. By this time the remainder of the line became bystanders and listened in on our conversation. What else was there to do anyways? Plus, the volume at which she was speaking made her comments unavoidable. 


Soon after it was my turn. I'm sure each person behind me was subconsciously hoping I would not be high maintenance. I jovially bantered with Douglas, the postal worker, with the hope of getting a laugh out of the bystanders. After all, as unique as each of us were standing in line we did share the commonality of desiring to be in and out of there as quickly as possible. 


I did not belabor the process and swiftly exited. My neighbor in line was also exiting. I mentioned I was glad to have gotten through. Then that led to this and then this led to that and we stood together conversing like dear old friends. After just a few short moments it was evident we had quite a bit in common. My neighbor was not bashful in any way but rambled on from one topic to the next. I was ready to monopolize any moments to keep the conversation going, but there was no need. 


As I stood their I wondered how long this would go on, not because I wanted it to conclude, more out of curiosity. She was not hesitant at all, rather, open and chatty. I pondered what it would be like having coffee with this dear lady all the while enjoying the conversation. 
Probably a half an hour later...
She mentioned needing to depart, yet as we walked to our cars (conveniently parked close by each other) our conversation continued. Before concluding I asked for her name and told her mine. 


Maureen. 
My neighbor in line,
My new unexpected friend, 
One who not long before was merely a stranger
Became a friend.
Through our unforeseen encounter I was enlightened, reminded...
That a long line does not have to be a nuisance, instead, it is an opportunity, 
An opportunity to converse, challenge, encourage...
All the while providing perspective to another's life. 
Maureen inspired gratitude in me. 


This encounter reminded me of my abnormal fascination and love for making strangers friends. 
I love discovering something about someone. I love knowing people and why they are they way they are and why they do the things they do. It excites me as i am enraptured by their stories, their families, their experiences... there is really nothing like it. 


How often am I presented with the opportunity to make a stranger a friend?
Unfortunately, most of the time I am enthralled by my minute-to-minute agenda that I miss these profound moments. People, lines, traffic, unexpected delays become interruptions instead of opportunities. 
I'm glad Maureen was not the case.