I am poor. Below-average-wage-for-my-position poor, actually. And when that position isn’t CEO of a large company, or big-shot doctor or engineer, but a mere research assistant, this is saying something about my purchasing power. Such being the case, it might not come as a surprise that when I saw the large black man with an armful of red carnations walking towards me, I felt helpless. I knew what he wanted, and I knew I couldn’t give it to him. A shake of the plastic cup (with a few quarters and dimes) that he was carrying confirmed the former; a look in my wallet, the latter. Defeated, I looked up at him, shrugged, smiled and motioned, offering him a seat next to me on the wooden sitting area at the Harvard Square stop.
As I kept listening to the [other potentially homeless] man trying to make an honest buck in the station, a very talented chap playing the guitar and singing beautifully, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head, and here was the black man offering me a red carnation. He looked me in the eye and said: “It was the smile that did it.” After a pause, he added: “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
As a warm wave of happiness descended over me and my eyes lit up, all I could muster up was “Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!” This was the first flower I have ever received on Valentine’s Day, and it made me happy! Even though it came from an unknown, potentially homeless man.
No: ESPECIALLY because it came from an unknown, potentially homeless man.
Humanity is everywhere, all we have to do is be alert enough to notice it, and open enough to receive it. I love the world!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy Chinese New Year! Happy Sunday!
Diana Goes to America 