69. She came with a story to tell

We met a year and a half ago. She'd read a newspaper story about the launch of my gift book for mothers. In the story I had invited people to come tell me something they loved about their mothers. She came with a story to tell. I don't remember it, but it made us both tear up. Then she bought a book.

A year ago at the alumni book fair at my alma mater, traffic was slow and my head was in a crossword puzzle. Someone tapped the table gently to get my attention. I looked up into her patient face. She had another story to tell. She hadn't given the book to her mother yet, hadn't finished filling it out. But she would.

Today, when the alumni book fair was almost over, there she was. "I remember you," I said. She had finished filling out the book and given it to her mother. She told me about that and we talked a while. And if I had sold the whole box of books I took to the fair today, its worth would be less than the treasure of her words to me.

Grateful, today, for:
Running into old friends and colleagues on this homecoming weekend.
A complimentary beverage and snack from the coffee shop.

The warm visit that resulted from the chance of assigned seating.
A long lunch with a friend.
Getting to see a face I'd hoped to see, and to hear about a book bearing fruit.

What are you grateful for today?