Lip Prints on the Metal
Today I substituted with a really great group of middle schoolers, my boys had a really great day with Jamie, I was headed home to them, and the sun was shining. Then I had to slam on my breaks because a car was pulling out of a parking space downtown (turns out it wasn't, but at the moment I thought it was) I glanced in my rear view just in time to see the bratty girl behind me flash not one, but TWO fabulously manicured middle fingers at me. Then, at every light after that....I was given another glance at those same Daddy's money nails. It bothered me, but it really made me start to do some thinking. I'm getting older, and I guess less like my hot headed grandfather, so I didn't really get angry.
Later today I was talking with my Mom and Step-Dad. We talked about Veterans, then on to WWII. Common topics for us. As we talked we started talking about the "Greatest Generation." We talked about the same documentary we had both watched last week. It was about women leaving their homes to work in artilary factories. My Step Dad and I both loved the stories about the women writing small notes on the shells, or kissing the giant noses of missiles, leaving beautiful red lip prints on the dangerous metal. These ladies (notice "ladies") knew that the only eyes to ever see these beautiful red smootches and small notes, would be our boys fighting on the front, but they wanted to do what they could, small as it may have been, to lift them up in a dark hour.
To my point....this chick I saw today. She had no idea who I was or what I might have been struggling through. Lucky for her, my life was blessed and bright, but she didn't know that. With one gesture she could have weighted my heart. Then, on the other hand, with the same effort, she had the ability to change my day for the better. With one smile, with one wave, or in some cases, with one kiss on the metal, someone's heart might be lifted.
So, I ask you my friend, what have you added to your world today? Have you brought someone down, or have you used the same effort and placed your lip prints on the metals of this world?
