NFT: Holiday Hearts

[T200]

I copied this from someone on FB. The holiday season isn't a happy time for all. Just a reminder to be aware that we never know what others are going through and to reach out to family, friends and even strangers to offer a simple gesture of kindness. It can do wonders.


===============

I paid for the entire line of orders behind me at the Dunkin Donuts drive through. The chick at the drive-thru asks me "Are you sure?"

"Hell yeah and tell them all to have a Happy Thanksgiving too!"

I pull out of Dunks into traffic and start driving down Route 1 in Saco headed to get an oil change, spitting verses along to Public Enemy in the car, sipping my coffee, minding my own business. You know, sensible Dad stuff. Out of no where this bag of many douches flies up onto my ass. Riding me harder than the state of Maine's Revenue Services trying to collect last year's taxes. Then, this baked potato has the audacity to start high beaming me in the middle of my favorite Flavor Flav verse.

"Bro I'm in the slow lane, go around me!"

Nope. Let's just keep flashing our lights at this 6'1 300lb tattooed monster of a human the day before Thanksgiving. He must have woke up and thought "Let me be a vessel of God by testing the patience, anger management skills, and personal growth of the scariest looking man I can find today."

Finally, I'd had enough. I whipped my car over. He pulls up behind me. Normally I'd jump out but it was pouring rain today and I thought, frick this Gob Nobber (I just made that up), he can come to me.

Low and behold, this little ass dude walks up to my car and signals me to roll down my window. Sure, let me accommodate you my little hobbit looking friend. I certainly don't want to make you late on your trip to the Shire.

"Hey man, I just wanted to say thank you for buying my coffee this morning. I lost my wife last week to cancer. I know we don't know each other and I'm sorry I followed you but I just wanted you to know I really appreciated it. It's been a rough week and I needed that."

He said that to me through tears, his voice cracking with each word. I could feel every ounce of this man's pain, and it really hit home.

I asked him for his name. He said it was Jay.

I got out of my car, and said "Jay, I'm a hugger. Want a hug bro?" He lept into my arms like a Russian ballerina and I embraced this stranger in the rain on the side of the road. I stood about a foot and a half taller than he did. His head resting gently on my bosom, man tiddy; whatever. He started crying. I could tell this dude was broken. I started laughing at the most inappropriate time because I thought about what must be going through the minds of these people driving by seeing a large tattooed man hugging a man of a smaller stature in the pouring rain on the side of the road. I shared that thought with Jay. We both started laughing pretty hard together.

Then I said "Jay, I'm also a kisser."

All of the color left his face.

Then I said "I'm just fucking with you Jay."

He started laughing. I started laughing. It was hilarious.

We exchanged numbers and talked about grabbing a coffee one day after the holidays.

God put this dude in my life today so he could remind me that we're so quick to forget what others are dealing with. Especially around the holidays. Choose kindness. The world is messed up enough as it is. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.