Kind

I love old people. I could speculate about the "why" of this a whole lot. Today one of the reasons I'm thinking, though, is the wisdom and kindness so many of them carry with them. Who doesn't want to be in the company of kind slow-spoken words full of wisdom? Nobody.

The epitome of this was caught in one very quick moment I will never forget.

It's December of 2009 and I'm at my ex-boyfriend's Baptist church visiting for this one Sunday morning. He was newly graduated from Marine Corps bootcamp. Bootcamp took 3 months and I wrote every day. I even gave up my $400 high school graduation present to buy a plane ticket to see him graduate in San Diego, CA. It was just the start of a lot of sacrifice that I made for one man. Honestly, I wouldn't take back one day of it. I was in love and didn't mind.

But even if I was okay with it the majority of the time, every so often it would get to me. That selfish part of me that wanted credit. That I don't dare ask for.

This Sunday morning he stood in the hall as church let out and a number of people walked by and shook his hand and thanked him for his service. I stood near, somewhat behind, him smiling and watching. (Little did I know this was just the beginning of that pattern.) Then I feel a hand on my shoulder and look over at an older man I had never seen before. He asked if I was Ben's girlfriend and I confirmed (still smiling like an idiot it seems like now). He says quietly, "You know, you're important too." Shook MY hand. Hugged me. And walked away.

That plastered smile of mine lasted another .3 seconds til it was replaced with tears. Happy tears. Tears of the best affirmation I'd ever felt. That was the one and only vocal human affirmation and encouragement I got from anyone during 2 years of being a military girlfriend. It was enough. I was reminded of how much wisdom and kindness can come out of someone's words. I'm convinced young people don't possess this gift.

For so many reasons I've thought about this moment a lot lately. Reasons that will remain a mystery for now. Which I'm guessing is fine because I have 0 readers on the edge of their seat.

Maybe this is why I like Yoda so much too,
Angela