It’s time to Celebrate this Week with Ruth Ayers. This practice helps me notice the little things worth celebrating, the things that might slip past. Read more celebrations (or add your own) here.
Traveling this week, I saw a lot of things, and I heard stories from people in line, on planes, in restaurants. Some I overheard. Some were offered. All were gifts. All added to my understanding and the richness of being in this world.
On Friday, my daughter and I took a cab to the airport. I climbed in and there at my feet was a football. Immediately, I liked this driver.
“Hey, did someone leave a football?” I asked.
“Oh, that’s my son’s. He wanted to take it to camp. I told him, they’d have all kinda balls at camp! But no, he wanted his ball.”
The way the driver chuckled and shook his head said a lot. This kid was his joy. He went on to talk about his nephew, his other four grown children, his wife. Love and pride seeped from every word.
Then he’d get back to his boy.
“He’s a Katrina baby, a miracle child. Nine years old and wants to do everything. I tell him he can’t do everything. But he tries. Yep, he’s my treadmill; he keeps me going. He saved me.”
And I wonder how many ways this child saved his dad.
Closing in on the airport we pass Xavier University, and we learn. “My daughter goes there. She’s in pharmacy school. It’s one of the top programs in the country. She’s got it all under control. She doesn’t have a choice, can’t get anything past her momma (she’s a school teacher).”
Did I mention how much I like this guy?
He laughs.
Oh yeah, I say, and smile, looking over at my daughter.
“She’s got a nice boyfriend too; does the right things. You know what I mean? Not just the big stuff. The big things are easy. Birthdays and holidays. It’s the small things that matter. Those are the things I watch for. Those are the things that tell you about a person.”
They certainly do.
This week I celebrate the little things, like telling a story, sharing a little bit of yourself and with that passing on some joy, some wisdom, when you don’t have to.
To Read To Write To Be 
This cab driver sounds like such a character! Celebrating stories!!! What a wonderful way to celebrate life! I hope all of your travels were as lovely as this cab ride!!! 🙂
I agree with the taxi driver that the small things tell a lot about a person. Love how you captured the story.with little stories inside.
Are you sure you weren’t at All Write and heard Lester Laminack? He talked about sitting on a plane, overhearing a comment, and writing a story using it. Very similar situations! Love this. Hope you enjoyed your visit with Margaret!
Wow to mention Lester Laminack is a high compliment! He is a an inspiration. Thank you Leigh Anne. All Write sounds like an amazing experience. Next year?
“The richness of being in this world.” This is why I write. This is why I read. Beautiful post!
Having readers like you matters so much. This is why we want our students to write and tell stories, To try to make some sense of our world. Thanks Elisabeth.
I wish I could have been in the cab with you! I like him too!
I like how you noticed it all and shared it with us.
This is a keeper!
Life is a story, a simple question and we can learn so much about each other.
I love how you captured the cab driver’s story. Such meaning in connection.
So much to be heard, when we listen!
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