Today, while on the train, a woman in her eighties gingerly took the seat beside me. We exchanged friendly smiles, and she offered me a digestive biscuit (though I’m not sure why they call it that, as they are anything but easily digested). I accepted a piece and asked if I could take a picture of her hands holding the biscuit. Her kind gesture was so endearing that I wanted to capture the moment. I explained that I have a blog and would love to share our exchange on it. She smiled and agreed, then began to share her philosophy on life: “It’s all about being random, making time to laugh, and not taking yourself too seriously.”
She mentioned that she often laughs out loud in public when a memory strikes her, and I confessed that I have the same habit. And, as we continued chatting, I discovered that I work for the national office of an organization she had previously volunteered with. We shared a laugh about that coincidence, adding another layer of connection to our brief encounter.
Our conversation lasted only five train stops, but it was meaningful. After I got off at my stop, I reflected on how the world can feel vast and impersonal. Initially hesitant to engage, I found our exchange delightful and uplifting. While the world is indeed a large place, it feels so much smaller, and friendlier, when we take the time and energy to connect with others, no matter how brief the interaction may be.
The Middle Slice 