We All Have a Story

Everyone has his or her own story.  It is that story that has made them who they are, has taken them where they are in the present, and will take them where they will go tomorrow. Even the people you know the best have things from their pasts that you may not ever know about. Think about the television show Lost and its first season. Throughout the episodes the audience gets glimpses of major parts of each of the main characters’ pasts. From these scenes we have a better understanding of who the people are as individuals and why/how they become stranded on the island.

One day last week, my mom, sister, and I took my nephews to eat at Chick-fil-A. As we were leaving the parking lot, we noticed what looked like a homeless woman in her early 20s. She was huddled underneath a tree in the parking lot of a large shopping center with only a backpack, her dog, and the dirty clothes on her back. Within seconds my mom, being the angel on earth that she is, suggested we turn around and buy her something to eat. Long story short: we drove back over to Chick-fil-A, bought her a sandwich and bottle of water, and hand-delivered it to her. She humbly accepted it, said “thank you,” and we drove away. As we were driving home, I commended my mom on being such a wonderful person while I joked that “she does things like that because she knows it could be her gypsy daughter one day and she could only hope someone would be so kind to me.” Of course once we arrived home, life went on, and I didn’t give much thought to that girl again until we saw her in the same parking lot yesterday.

Since yesterday I cannot get the girl out of my head. I wonder what her story is. I wonder why she is where she is. Is her being there her choice or is it the result of something that was out of her control? Is she happy? Hungry? Thirsty? Homeless? Doing research for her PSY 101 Class at UTC?  I have played with random scenarios in my head and have prayed to God that one of the more comical ones could the possible truth. But who knows? Does anyone ever stop more than a few seconds to give her a sandwich, some water, or a few bucks? Has anyone ever asked her for her story? Does anyone know her name?

Today I left for work an hour early with two bottles of water, one for me and one for her, hoping to find her and talk with her. I wanted to listen and know her story. I wanted to sit there silently with her if she didn't feel like talking. At the least I wanted her to know that someone does care about her story. I drove to that same parking lot playing out our conversation (if she wanted to have one) in my head. I scanned the shady areas searching for her khaki green cap and her sweet-faced brown dog. For a second I thought I spotted her, but it turned out to be a Target employee enjoying his break time. I drove over to a nearby shopping center thinking maybe she needed a change in scenery, but again I had no luck finding her.

So, here I sit at the local Starbucks thinking about her and about everyone around me. Each of them with a story that is his/her own. Some may be completely absorbed with themselves to have even noticed that I have been examining their body language and smiles or lack thereof; while others may be completely creeped out (and rightfully so) by this strange smiling, brown-headed girl staring at them. Again, who knows? All I know is that I need to take the time to ask and listen. I need to learn about others and understand their stories before I just assume their situations. I need to love others as much as I love myself because I know that the love I have inside of me may make a difference in the life of someone else who doesn’t understand or know love like I do.

Tomorrow is another day. I will continue to search for the girl in the parking lot and hope that she is receptive to me as I am to her story. Until then I will listen to those around me. I will understand and not assume. I will open up my mind and heart to whatever it is the world wants me to know and learn. I will share my story to those who want to know it. I will strive to make a difference in whatever ways I am destined to do so. Above all, I will love, laugh, and continue to live as much as I am humanly able.