Resolutions, Revelations, and Gene

First Monday of January 2010.....resolutions, revelations, reservations. Which group do you belong to???? I think at the first of the year, we all belong to resolutions. Full of promise, full of hope that this year will be THE year. Then about June we belong to the reservations group - you know - should've, would've, could've with our resolutions. NO explanation needed. And then about October, we belong to revelations - next year, should I make a resolution?; Will I disappointment myself again by not keeping most of my resolutions? And the circle continues.

But that is not what this blog is about.....this blog is about a dream that I had week or so ago. As most of you know, I had a blast making the 12 days of desserts and writing about my experience. And I kept wondering what could I write about??? Everyday, I asked myself...what would be different; something new; something that could be done no matter where I found myself??? I got still and listened and still nothing. It took me getting really still and sleeping for it to come to me....I dreamt about it. I dreamt about a phonebook and calling all the people in the phone book. A bit cumbersome and not really personally, but there was something there. And I woke up and decided that in 2010 - I would write about people. Just ordinary people who cross my path every single day. And here is the kicker - these are people I don't know yet but by the end of the year I will have met 365 new people. How long has it been since you met a new person? Not someone you met through a friend, but just walked up and said, "Hello, my name is Donna. Who are you?" I can't really remember the last time I said that to a complete stranger. Until today.

I saw him when I went into Wal-Mart. He was greeting people, getting carts, and tagging return items. I thought to myself - if he is still here when I check-out. He will be my first "new"acquaintance. I went through my list, getting things I needed and some I didn't and as I began to ready my groceries for checkout - I anxiously glanced in the direction of the door. I saw him still over there. I was a bit nervous, no planned introduction - what the heck was I thinking?!?!?! There are people who get killed everyday for walking up to complete strangers, but I was committed so over toward him I strolled with my full cart of bagged goods. He saw me coming. And as I neared, he was a true gentleman and rose from the stool where he'd been sitting - and stood gallantly I am guessing late 70's; a little humped shouldered; wearing a ball cap that covered a full-head of white hair; full set of teeth as he smiled at me. Blue long-sleeve shirt, khakis, and sneakers. He probably thought I had a problem or that I wanted to complain about something. But not today. It played out like this:

"Hi, are you having a good day today?" He replied, "Why, yes I am." I said, "My name is Donna." and I extended my hand. He shook it as a gentleman would and said, "My name is Gene." I went on to explain that my new years resolution was to meet one new person everyday and "you are my first new person to meet." He was a bit taken aback either by the fact that he thought I might be daft or that someone had taken just a few moments to notice and say hello. I told him that I was glad to have met him today and to "have a great rest of the day." He told me to have a great day as well and then said, "God Bless you." I told him, "Thank-you - I think he already has." And I headed for the door and toward my car. I loaded my groceries into my car - I felt content. Not because I was heading home with one less thing to do on my to-do list, but because I met Gene today. I may have to find out more about Gene - like what did he do before he came to work for Wal-Mart, but that is another day - another story.

I didn't start on January 1st, so I will have to catch up on 3 people somewhere along the way, but I am sure that I can fit them in. Who and what will cross my path tomorrow???