I was meeting a friend for dinner the other evening and as I was going in, a nice elderly man was coming out. He stopped for a second, holding on to his cane. He said, “You have two things going on with you today.”

I smiled not quite grasping where he was going with that.

“Your dress and your smile.”

I smiled wider, ear to ear. He smiled and I hugged him. I could smell his memories in an instant, his hand gently touching mine. I could feel his youth pouring out of his heart. I sensed a loss and sadness that, for a moment, it all brought tears to my eyes. No real exchange followed but a gratitude for his words.

I am great at handing out compliments, but it’s not always easy for me to receive, especially from a man.

The thing is that the moment he said it, about the smile, I felt a crack in my heart. I knew I reminded him of someone. I felt his heart beat against mine when I hugged him.

It was a brief encounter. The best ones usually are because they linger without pretenses. They are real and authentic.

You never know how you touch someone. You never know how one softhearted look can help another feel seen. And words… ah, those words full of kindness and love always reach the core of our existence.

I love you. Be gentle with you and spread that love like wild fire all around you.

Millie

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