Sympathy Eyes

Just yesterday, I was traveling via bus and had a layover. There was a grocery store nearby so I decided to stop in for some celery, guacomole, and kombucha. As I am walking through the store to find these items, there are several workers handing out samples. One of them locked eyes with me. Not the typical "I see you so I'm looking at you" but the, what I like to call, "sympathy eyes." Yes. It is real. I smiled and asked him how he was doing. Surprised, of course, he monotonously answered "doing well...how are you?" "Fantastic!" I responded. I could feel his eyes on me as I was reading the ingredients and comparing their guacomole to their hummus. "Are you finding everything ok? Can I help you with something?" "No, no I just like to read ingredients. I try to avoid the non-readable items." "Ok, that makes sense, ha, ha..."

I move onward to the kombucha where I encounter yet another sample stand employee. This one was special. As soon as she said "Hello" to me, I knew the quetion was coming. She was sampling Raw Pumpkin Seeds. OF COURSE I'm going to take some. She stands there, silently and still, staring, not sure what to say. Her round face and doe-eyes were glaring. I ask "Hey, how's it going?" "Good." And with minimial hesitation she proceeds with "I'm sorry but I don't mean to sound rude but," (oh, the anticipation) she steps forward, "it looks like you may be going through some rounds of chemo."

POW.

"Nope! Alopecia. Juuuuust Alopecia."

"Oh, okay then. So you can't grow hair?"

"It's true."

"I don't know what I would do without my hair."

"I'm sure you would figure it out pretty quick."

"It's just...my hair is how people know me and point me out."

"Well, I can say the same thing because I can easily be pointed out in a crowd."

"True."

"Okay, well enjoy the rest of your day!"

I walk out grinning ear to ear trying to withhold my laughter until I get to the outside world. Two very awkward souls in one store...I'll go back for one more laugh someday.

Laughing all the way to the bus stop I couldn't help but think how it is those small interactions that can make my day and even change my mood.

Embrace the difference.

Off with your hair!