Lunch With Strangers

During the holidays there was a day where I got off work at noon. For half the day I was receiving holiday pay. Yippee!

My original plans were to go pick up the boys from my aunt's house and take them home early.

But the night before I realized how silly that was. Hello? I had a few hours to myself that I would be able to use as I please. As a working mom- or any mom for that matter- this opportunity doesn't present itself very often.

Plus- the boys' cousins were at my aunt's house as well and I knew if I tried to take Nathan home early it would result in a complete "how dare you take me away from this place where I'm having the most fun ever and make me go hooommmeeee???!!!" meltdown. Cuz yanno- home- isn't it the place where his family is and his toys and good food and love? Yeah- but that never seems appealing when you're having fun somewhere else.

So I let my aunt know I got off work at noon but wouldn't be there to get the boys for several hours afterwards.

Now- what was I to do? Lunch alone and a good book felt like it would be pure bliss.

So after work I went to the store and got the second book in the trilogy I was reading and decided on a yummy lunch at Panera bread- one of my favorite places to eat.

I walked into Panera and whooooa the place was packed!! It appeared every seat was taken. Every.last.one. It guess being close to the holidays many other people were enjoying time off from work.

I ordered my food anyways and began roaming for a table- eyeing people to see if they were done eating and might possibly be getting up soon.

Nope.

Nope.

Nope.

THERE!

A vacant table.

I ran and threw myself on top of the table attacking it like a lion to a zebra in Africa.

Ok not really but I did quickly make my way to it and gracefully sat down- feeling a little guilty that my measly little self was taking up a table for four- but there were no other options.

Right when I took a bite of my sandwich and picked up my delightful book anticipating to be mentally transported to Italy- a woman came up to me.

"Would you mind if my friend and I join you?" she asked.

She was an older woman with a very warm smile- and although a part of me was disappointed for a second that I wasn't going to get my lunch alone with book experience- I said "I don't mind" and they took their seats.

Nancy and Ruth.

The next 40 minutes we talked about nothing and everything. Nancy was in her 80's a Ruth was in her 50's.

We talked about family and jobs and inheritance (Nancy was buying her granddaughter a house for part of her inheritance- whhaaa?) and which bank has the best customer service (Nancy felt passionately about this). Books. Food. Christmas. Churches. Jewerly. Broadway. We talked a lot and by the end of lunch any passerby would have thought we were grandmother, daughter, and granddaugter.

Our conversation was sweet and easy. And it didn't take long for me to know that this was much more refreshing than lunch alone with a book.

I knew as soon as they sat down this happened for a reason. If the only reason was to lift eachother's moods- it was still a reason.

In fact shortly after they sat down a table nearby opened up. I saw them eye it and than Nancy said "let's stay here and leave that for someone else who needs it" and I was glad they stayed :)

It got me thinking though...this whole lunch with strangers...

Of how we react to those around us.

How little eye contact we share.

How many times someone opened the door for me and even though I murmured a "thank you" I didn't even look at their face as I said it.

An elevator ride alone with a stranger where both people stay quiet instead of sharing a short simple conversation.

When did we become a society that only invests in ongoing relationships?

When did any interaction with someone we don't know become not worth our time?

When did we assume we don't have anything to learn from eachother?

When did we become so alone in a world full of people?

What if we did make more of an effort to make eye contact, have short conversations with someone you don't know, or even take the risky move of having lunch with strangers?

We always focus on the negative encounters with strangers. That person who might give you a nasty look when your toddler is having a melt down for example.

But what if we all became better strangers? Helping strangers in little ways. Opening doors more. Telling people you hope they have a wonderful day and MEAN IT. Smiling more at people. Complimenting strangers.

Yes there are some wackos out there and definitely strangers we need to stay clear of.

But there is also a lot of good we can receive from strangers and simple things we can do and say to lift someone's mood.

I hope I never forget my lunch with Nancy and Ruth.

God knew I needed that more than being alone with my book.

And I hope I become a better stranger because of it.

Have a great Friday!