Be The Reason

Last week Judy and I spent the weekend in Ruidoso celebrating our 56th wedding anniversary. This three-day fling was a far bigger self-indulgence than usual, but as mentioned in Are We There Yet – Part 1, we have been loosening the strings just a wee bit and embracing a slightly less frugal lifestyle.

I cannot wait to see what wild and crazy thing comes our way next. Heck, I might even take Judy dancing for her birthday. Uh yeah, that’s probably not going to happen unless pigs fly and I lose fifteen pounds within the next week. Yes I know, all of the above could happen, but I am sure that Judy is not holding her breath.

While wandering about one of the many curio shops on Sudderth Drive (the main drag in Ruidoso), I happened upon a revolving rack containing whimsical, thought-provoking signs suitable for framing. Two in particular caught my eye (or is it caught my eyes – hmm).

The first one read, “Sometimes I wrestle with my demons – Sometimes we just snuggle” and the second one, in all bold caps read, “BE THE REASON SOMEONE HAS A BETTER DAY.” While I definitely wrestle with my demons, I can’t recall a time when we have ever been snuggle buddies – seems kinda creepy actually.

Within an instant, an instant and a half at most, a story regarding the second sign presented itself to my subconscious mind. As we made our way back to our motel room, the framework for this story was well under way. Later that night I arose, as is often the case, to jot down the thoughts that were swimming about in my head.

I know all too well, if they aren’t put to paper soon, come morning they are gone. Tragically, sometimes, come morning, I discover that I cannot read the previous night’s scribblings. Sometimes, come morning, I can read the scribblings but they don’t trigger whatever it was I was thinking when I wrote them down. (Just another writer’s curse, by which I am plagued.)

The first person who came to mind (in addition to Judy, of course) who routinely is the reason this someone has a better day on a regular basis is my sister. Not sure how our sister exited the dark place known as our childhood so much differently than did my brother and I. Perhaps because she was a girl – perhaps because she was the middle child – perhaps simply because she is her own person, Anyway, we are very different, my sister and I, and then again we are very definitely siblings.

One particular attribute that never ceases to amaze me is her always, and I do mean always, weaving a compliment into the conversation. Be it a conversation with a family member, a conversation with a friend, or a conversation with a stranger. I have said often that she makes me better, but this is just one of the many areas in which I have much room for improvement. And, dare I add, the clock is ticking.

The next two people who came to mind just as quickly are two twenty-something waitresses – one each from our two favorite local eateries. One a single mom raising a daughter, the other a recent (2025) college graduate.

Their interaction has never been about getting a bigger tip nor has it ever been simply cheap, small talk. These two beautiful spirits always warm my heart and fill my soul with promise. I hope I am lucky enough to watch them grow a few years longer – to watch them reach for the stars – to watch them live their dreams.

As much as I insist that I am socially challenged – that I am the happiest when left alone somewhere to watch cat videos – such is not always the case. As the experts proclaim, the need for human connection is woven into all of our DNAs.

You might think that you could live a life of solitude – as I sometimes think I could – but you cannot. Even I must admit, when left alone for a tad too long, I babble nonstop like a three year old when someone enters the room.

To those of you who might think that a moment of your time might be insignificant – I beg to differ. To someone else, a moment of your time might be life-altering. Trust me, I speak from experience.

Along about here, I did one of my all-too-frequent Google searches. Not surprising, there is much to be said, much to be read, about the human connection. Along about here, it would have been easy to start down another one of my infamous rabbit holes – one that most certainly would have taken me well beyond the original scope of this story. I did notice, however, that Google had much to say about the power of a smile or a similar small gesture.

Suffice it to say, I can recall many times when a smile or a similar small gesture from mom or dad would have meant the world to me. (The fist bump hadn’t been popularized yet, but that would have worked as well.) Fortunately, I can recall many times when a smile or a similar small gesture from someone did indeed put a smile on my face and most definitely a spring in my step.

Maybe you are very much like my sister. Perhaps you are very much like our aforementioned very special friends. Perhaps you are very much like me. (Oh, what a terrible thought.) In the final analysis, it really doesn’t matter – just as long as you take the time to BE THE REASON SOMEONE HAS A BETTER DAY. And I promise, should you happen to be the reason I have a better day, I will do my best to be the reason you have a better day as well.