All through out your life you hear Stranger Danger! Don’t talk to strangers! Don’t take candy from strangers!

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I know it’s one thing to be cautious of your children, but I think in ways it’s carried out too far. Why wouldn’t you tell a stranger hello? Why wouldn’t you approach them to ask a question? The whole fear of strangers limits you in conversation, and in fact can make things very awkward if approached. Fortunately I have learned to say hello, nod, or wave when people go past. I found this case of strangers to first come up when I went to college. I was moving in. going up and down people in the stair well. I would go past them, say hello, smile, and they would look at me like the stranger I was.

This was quiet a common occurrence, because people simply did not just say hello. I just continued to do it anyways. Sometimes they would look at me like I was the biggest creeper ever. That was the first time I had seen any of these people. As time went on and we lived in the dorm; everyone was aquainted and got to know each other. Saying hi didn’t seem so weird anymore. But why does it have to be weird? To start a conversation with a complete stranger? Maybe it’s because I am a little more out going than others. Maybe it’s because the way people see you. Who knows.

I was driving the other day and I saw a lady walking down the side of the road. She appeared to be struggling with the bags she was carrying. So I debated do I pick her up or do I just keep going? I kept going for about a hundred yards and pulled over. I thought to myself and about all the harm going on in the world. All the horrid stories of things happening to strangers picking up hitch hikers.

Then I turned around. I wanted to help this lady and if that meant just giving her a ride then that’s what I would do. She wasn’t looking to get a ride, but I figured I would offer one.

So I turned around and went back to where she was. She had sat down on the side of the guardrail and took a break. I pulled over and yelled “Hey mam! Would you like a ride?” She looked at me for a few seconds and slowly got up. She came over to the door and said “Why do you want to give me a ride?” I was dumb founded at first. I was curious as to why she just didn’t get in the car.

I replied ” Well looks like your struggling to carry those bags I just figured I would offer some help.” She nodded  her head and opened the door. She proceeded to tell me her name was Mary and she was coming from work and headed back to the bus stop. This would have taken her over an hour to walk to if I didn’t pick her up. She said ” Well I sure do appreciate you picking me up, but you should be careful. Don’t just pick up anyone. Which is true you never know .

She asked where I was going and we talked about her day . I could tell she struggled in life so I was glad I had turned back around to help her. Maybe I am just too naïve to care. Whatever it may be I was placed there at that time for a reason.

A few weeks ago I was at the mall trying to switch over my phone. While waiting I went to sit on a bench. This older man called me over by saying “Hey Girl! Come over here!” I walked over and sat down beside him. He told me his name was Archie and said “look here.” He had upgraded his cell phone. Then proceeded to tell me he didn’t know anything about it besides how to answer it. He was just as happy as a jay bird sitting there.

It was Mothers Day, and this year was my first year without my mom. It was  a weird feeling. Yeah there are people who are like moms to call and tell Happy Mothers Day too, but it still isn’t the same feeling. When I started talking to Archie I was wondering what his life was about. He had a neck brace on and told me he broke it in his garage at his house. He proceeded to tell me he had a hospital bed that helped him sit up and lay down in the evening and that it was right beside his wife’s hospital bed.

Archie’s wife passed away 6 years ago, but he talked like he was just as in love as before. He told me when they were married her mother went with them to the church. I didn’t understand why anyone had to be with them, but he told me it was in fear that they would have sex before marriage. We talked about had the times have changed and people rarely wait till marriage anymore. Archie said his friends told him to just get a  new girl. He said he could get a new girl and that would probably be alright, but he would never love her the same way. Some may think this was weird for someone to talk about, but I saw it as an awesome love story. I talked to Archie for nearly an hour and a half. I left to go to work and he assured me he would probably see me again sometime. I said ” Do you come here every Saturday Archie?” His reply was “No I come here almost everyday and go to the cookie shop and talk to my friends.” This was Archie’s way of communicating with people, and he seemed to be very comfortable with that. Everyone goes through loss and deals with things in different ways. I needed Archie on that day to talk about the never ending love of his wife who had passed 6 years ago.  I needed someone to talk about my own loss too. Even if it was a stranger.

Sometimes talking to a complete stranger about your life can be very helpful. They are an outsider and someone who isn’t going to point their fingers at you. They are someone who listens to listen, and not necessarily to reply. I really enjoyed talking to Archie that day and it may me realize that strangers can be just as helpful as a close friend would.

With that being said I encourage you to talk to a stranger . Ask them how they are doing, and intend to listen for a reply. I’ve had so many instances where I ask people how they are; and they say good and you? Then just proceed to walk away. What’s the point of asking if you are even going to care to listen? Maybe it’s just a pet peeve of mine.

So go on now. Greet someone with kindness  and an open heart  today. Good Luck!