Some days you have to find enjoyment in the small things.  This week started out a little rough, complete with a little Monday morning blues and a mountain climb to hump day.  In the midst of my mucky Monday, I met an awesome U. S. Marine Corps veteran.  We happened to be heading in the same direction. 

It all started when I asked, “How are you?” That’s when the fun began. We’ll call him Harry. 

Harry started by saying, “Well, I’m a little slowful. I wanted to spread my wings, and I left my cane at home.  Don’t you see how I’m walking?  Well, now you know why.” 

Even though he talked about his slow shuffle, he was still cheerful.  I knew I was in for a treat. 

I asked him where he was headed, and to this, he replied, “Are you being nice to me ‘cause you want me to add you in my will?”

All I could do was laugh, and replied, “No. I don’t want to be in your will, but I am concerned about you falling down on this hard ground.”

“You know, I got two eyes, but both of them half work.  These glasses just sit on my face for decoration,” he said.

“Do you think you need new glasses,” I asked

“I don’t rightly know. I ain’t no eye doctor. You forgot that quick? That’s where we going,” Harry said.

“You are a mess,” I said with a giggle.

“Well, how about this?  I should fall right down, right here on this slippery floor.  Guess what?” Harry asked.

“What’s that?” I asked him.

“Once I fall, I can call the big-time injury lawyer, and I’ll split the money with you,” Harry said, in a whisper.

I laughed, I mean laughed myself to tears, “I am not going to let you fall, but you are too funny,” I said.

We continued to walk down the hall, and Harry stopped and turned to me.

“Say, you are a good woman,” he said.

“Well, thank you,” I replied.

“Are you married?” Harry asked.

“Yes sir, 18-years,” I replied.

“Me, too!” he said with a smile, “I’ve done it three times, and I’ve been married thirty-three years to this one.  I’ll tell you what, let’s call your husband collect to see if he realizes how good he’s got it,” Harry said, “If he don’t know what he got then I’ll go to the store and get you a little wedding band, and we can go to the hospital chapel and get married.”

I was so tickled, it made him laugh.

“Come on now, call your mister collect,” he said, wiping his eyes in between laughs.

“I am not calling him, and we are almost at your clinic,” I smiled.

“Now, you are starting to get on my nerves,” he chuckled.  If I didn’t know he was joking, I would have been sad.

“Who am I going to talk to in here?  I enjoyed this, it was nice talking to you.  You a good woman, and you tell your Mister I said so,” Harry said.

“Well, thank you, sir.  Be careful when you get ready to leave,” I said.

“I’m an old Marine!  I’ll be just fine.  I still got one good eye,” he said, offering me a salute.

I had never encountered Harry before, and he made my day.  I smiled thinking about how he made little jokes and made light of his predicament.  This man (I found out as we talked) is 84-years-old and other than his blurred vision, and slow walk, he was still light as a feather and happy about life.  His energy was awesome, and It worked to turn a mundane Monday into magnificent Monday.  So, for today, I hope this story reminds you to guard your energy.  Some people can make you feel drained, and it may be difficult to completely avoid them.  Just be aware.

Keep on pushing,

Visionary Trailblazin’