The Crankiness Crusher™

I was in the liquor store this morning (don’t judge–it’s for the weekend!) and I was listening to an elderly woman complaining about how tired she is of the cold weather as she walked in. After catching herself being a Negative Nelly, she laughed and said, “and I’m sure I’ll be complaining that it’s too hot soon!” I figured that she was kind of crotchety until I ended up in line behind her and she started to make small talk with the cashier about her daughter.

She spoke with pride about how she’s always there for her, what a good girl she is, and how she always helps her carry her grocery bags up three flights of stairs to her apartment. “She just loves the world–except when I steal some of her CDs!” This seemed like an interesting statement (especially since her daughter is probably in her forties), and as the woman left and I checked out, the cashier explained to me that her daughter has Down Syndrome, how she’s a huge music-lover (hence the CD comment), and that when she walks into her store, she “sees the face of God”. Her statement struck an emotional nerve and I started to tear up. And as I apologized for tearing up (which I so often do for some reason?) the cashier went on to tell me how the woman’s daughter’s innocence is what keeps her young and how wonderful it is that she works for The Arc (a national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families).

As I thought about that woman and her daughter, and all of the challenges they must have faced along life’s path, I felt humbled. I was once again reminded of how lucky I am, and how lucky we all are to have such special, pure people like that woman’s daughter among us. They just breathe in life and savor it: Something we should all aspire to do.

Today’s crankiness crusher was that elderly woman’s pride, and how beautifully her daughter sees the world. I hope someone–or something–encourages you to put aside your troubles for a moment so you can see all of the good stuff that’s right there in front of you.

Happy Friday, everyone. I hope you have a great weekend!

~Txx