So, once again I will let you all in on what is up in the DMV. Hope you all had a great week and Happy Friday! Here goes…

SEEN

At the corner of a very busy intersection and an interstate heading to D.C., there was an interesting man who decided to do a bit of public preening? He got out of the car and shut the door in a high traffic area, so it is clear that he was quite serious about it all. He began to shake his clothes rather furiously. Were there ants on him, a case of delousing? Or perhaps he had the “Hippy Hippy Shakes”? Who knows? But then he preceded to rake his fingers, lightning speed through his beard. Sort of shaking it out and sort of raking it. It was quite a curious situation. For the first time EVER in D.C., it was a bummer for the light to turn because now, it cannot be completely reported as to what happened next. My prediction? Clothes started peeling off and the crowd went wild! Or more than likely, his lane of traffic started moving and he hauled ass into his car and pulled off. But unfortunately, we will never know!

EXPERIENCED

So, me, Simply Dee, did a quick run to the store on what I call “errand and gig day” aka Fridays. I spied a long time friend across the store behind the Customer Service counter, where she rules ALL. I decided to give her a hug and she offered to check me out so that we could chat longer and so that I wouldn’t have to stand in line. She is an angel like that. I felt bad though, because hidden in my cloth bags were like 30 items. But she happily rang me up though there were scowling people standing nearby. What was so surprising though when I walked up is that she immediately walked away quickly and then handed me over a paper shopping bag and inside was a gift that she got me on her trip to Hawaii.

This woman who is waiting on a kidney transplant, has chronic asthma and has been in and out of the hospital and had to miss many months of work over the last 5 years, went away to relax and celebrate her marriage, and thought of me. It touched me. Profoundly. I could have easily cried, but there were teeming customers, so I kept the conversation short and wished her blessings and thanked her repeatedly. This is one of the many times that she has traveled and brought back things to me and my daughter. For Christmas she gave me a J Crew sweater and a gorge glam sweatshirt for my kid. She is Always thinking of others.

This may not be interesting on the surface, but it is pretty freaking amazing being that our 12 year friendship has literally been across a customer service counter. We have seen each other at a wedding once, and she came to my place when she made window treatments for my daughter when she was 4. Besides that, all of our interactions have been at the store with me in front of a counter, and she behind it. Because I live in walking distance, she has seen me push my kid in a stroller, on a trike, in a wagon, basically seen her at every stage.

She has been there to hear news of all of her triumphs and cheered us both on through all growing pains. I would go shop and have the bonus of an ear and shoulder regarding major life issues that I was going through. In return, I have given her gifts on special occasions and gave her toys and other items that were my daughter’s, for her grandchild. But what has been offered to me in laughter and kindness and friendship makes me want to believe that there is decency in mankind. The contagious laughter, the cup half full attitude, no matter her storms of life is the best present I could have received.

Merely knowing her is an incredible blessing. Interactions with this phenomenal friend have been one solid experience in D.C. that I can’t complain about. Knowing that there is a possibility that there are more Lady A’s walking around D.C. and this world in general, makes life a little bit brighter.

simply

~Dee