I am very fortunate to live in a small city that is considered to be one of the southern most northern cities and one of the northern most southern cities. We get to experience little bits of the best of both cultures and attitudes. My absolute favorite part, and ironically when friends from out of state come to visit they remark on as well, is the overall friendliness of our big town.
Just last night I was participating in my daily Boulevard walk. It was around 7:30 in the evening. On the way towards downtown I walk on the river side, the way back, the home and business side. Yesterday evening there were several people in front of me a bit and occasionally a runner or walker walking in the opposite direction. As always I moved over more to my own side of the side walk and kept my pace. I was quickly catching up to several pods of walkers in front of me when I noticed a vivacious, elderly gentleman walking towards me. He smiled and encouraged EVERY person that he passed. The man would grin from ear to ear, and say, "Keep up the good work!" He then carried on his way. As I was making my return trip, walking on the home and business side of The Boulevard I heard from across the street and over the roar of vehicles that same man yell, "You're still doing it! Keep up the good work!" It made my evening. I smiled the whole way home.
This story had me thinking. I can't remember the last time when walking The Boulevard, around The East End, or Downtown or when window shopping or out to dinner with friends when a complete stranger hadn't say hello or wish me a great day and I the same in return. Aren't we lucky to live in a town that for the most part is consider to be very courteous, helpful, and thankfully safe! In most places around the United States and the world, a person would look at you like you were a cross eyed frog if you dared talk to someone that you didn't know personally. I'm grateful that I don't live in one of those places. I'm grateful that I do live in a place that is safe enough for me to also continue saying hello to strangers in passing.
This story had me thinking. I can't remember the last time when walking The Boulevard, around The East End, or Downtown or when window shopping or out to dinner with friends when a complete stranger hadn't say hello or wish me a great day and I the same in return. Aren't we lucky to live in a town that for the most part is consider to be very courteous, helpful, and thankfully safe! In most places around the United States and the world, a person would look at you like you were a cross eyed frog if you dared talk to someone that you didn't know personally. I'm grateful that I don't live in one of those places. I'm grateful that I do live in a place that is safe enough for me to also continue saying hello to strangers in passing.
