Joy in the Visit

Today while waiting with my bagged items for my
daughter to go through the checkout at Walmart, an
elderly gentleman who was also standing there,
started up a conversation.  I am always a little nervous
when something like that happens and wasn't sure
what to expect.  At first I wondered if he might need
some help.  But, no, he just wanted to visit.

He was waiting for his bride of 70 plus years to
finish her grocery shopping and said he like to stand
at the front of the store and visit with people.  He was
a spry 90 year old man with a sharp mind and
delightful sense of humor.

As we stood there conversing, I found that he had
been raised in the eastern part of the state--an area
I was very familiar with.  As our conversation
continued he told me several delightful stories of
his life.  He was quite surprised I was familiar
with Tabiona, Duschesne, Woodland and other
small towns.  Then when I told him where I
originally hailed from we found many things in
common.

He has had open heart surgery and tells me he is
a miracle as they said he died on the surgery table
but was revived.  He's also survived a stroke and
other health issues.  I think he is a miracle!

We probably only spent 10 minutes or so visiting
but as my daughter, grandson and I left him, we
left with a smile on our faces.  He thanked us for
taking time to talk with him and wished us a
Merry Christmas as we departed.

As we walked out of the store, my daughter asked
if he was someone I had worked with at the temple
when I served there as we seemed to be enjoying
our visit.  No, I said, just a stranger who brought
some Christmas joy into my life today by striking
up a conversation.