261 Random Gifts in Chance Encounters

“The greatest gift you can ever give another person is your own happiness”

― Esther Hicks

It’s no secret that I was riding the pity train yesterday

feeing sorry for myself

in a sour mood

until…

Bill and I went to the grocery store.

I was driving and chose the parking space

We were sitting in the car unprepared as usual

Bill trying to cheer me up

and I would have none of it…

discussing the shopping list

planning our route through the store

when we both looked up and forward

to see a car in front of us –

not just any car

but a car all blinged out with fringe and sequins.

He wanted to take a picture from inside our car but

I nixed the idea – the owner was sitting inside.

He said, “Well I’ll just ask her!”

Oh my goodness – seriously?

My response, “I’ll see you in the store then.”

Although we are a lot alike in many ways and joke that we married ourselves, nothing will change the fact that he is an all-out extrovert and I am an all-in introvert.

So of course he walked up to the blinged out car and asked the owner if he could take pictures!

I was cringing inside as I walked towards the store…

The next thing I hear is Bill shouting,

“Lisa, get over here! You’ve got to see this!”

I turned around to find him taking pictures

with the owner out of the driver’s seat opening up all the doors so he can see the entire car – back tonneau cover and all!

But the best part –

she was ecstatic to share her handiwork – pointing out little details like the open box of doughnuts sitting on the hood of the police car in the back, the pool boys in the front window – at least 20, the hand holding a doughnut draped over the passenger seat.

It was evident that hours were spent decorating.

She called the embellished car her “Happy Place” and was overjoyed to share!

Bill made such a ruckus – yelling out,

“You’ve GOT to see THIS – Look over here”

with his expert child-like glee

that even more people came over

to see the embellished car in the grocery store parking lot.

As more people arrived with phone cameras up and snapping,

the owner became effervescently joyous!

“There are souls in this world who have the gift of finding joy everywhere, and leaving it behind them when they go.”

― Frederick William Faber

After the crowd dispersed

we thanked her for sharing

and walked into the store not knowing her name

but the happiness she passed out freely from her soul to ours

followed us

and its effects lasted throughout the evening.

I am sure that we will think about the grocery store lady

and her blinged out, joyous, happy, car

numerous times in the future…

at least I will

whenever I need a smile.

For that I am grateful

XO Lisa ❤️