Today in the Hair Salon

Today in a Hair Salon I had "a moment". You know, one of those moments where you feel blessed - fortunate - touched.

I was in for a shampoo and a cut and I was chatting with the stylist a little bit as she was conditioning. She asked about my summer plans, and I said that I was heading back to Ontario with the kids for the summer to visit my Mom and by brother and his family. She asked how long I was staying and sounded surprised with the length of time I said I'd be there, and that I go there every summer.

I explained:

"My Mom is in her late 70's and in good health, but you know,...when your in your 70's you don't know how much time there is left and I want to get in as much time with her as I can".

I kind of cut myself off because I thought there might be some elderly people close by and I didn't want to offend them. So the stylist muttered something like "thats nice", and then we talked about other things.

When she was finished with my scrub, she wraped a big towel around my head and helped me to toddle over to her station for the actual cut.

As I mosey'd over, I looked around to see who was had been close by. Sure enough there was one elderly lady right beside my shampoo station. She looked intently at me as I got up to go. She positively beamed. It was as if she was straining to see this woman (me) who valued her mother's time on the planet. She smiled at me and it was a beautiful smile.

The result was that I no longer felt bad about what I had said. No longer felt self conscious about stating the obvious: that when your in your 70's life in terms of years left on earth is quite limited.

Her smile was a true gift.

So, call your Mom!

And if she's already gone, send up a wee prayer of Love & thanks. It will get there.
: )