I sat up in bed and cursed the alarm. It was time to face the day.
Wednesday would be a filler day, a day with many things to do but nothing to gain. A tick mark on the wall.
I tore through the grog and beat the temptation to sleep through the morning.
Six hours later, I found myself doing homework at a Starbucks store. As I worked, I witnessed an old woman shuffling to the door. She carried a tray with four hot drinks. Instinctually, I jumped up to hold open the door for her. She thanked me warmly and went on her way.
I love holding the door open for a stranger, especially a woman, because at that moment she is the most important person in the world to you.
Fifteen minutes later, while absorbed in my work again, the woman returned. She sat herself at the table with me. Our timing was not quite synchronized. “Uh, you’re back!”
She proceeded to tell me that my small act of kindness was a gift to her. In return, she had a gift for me. She said she was about to give me a $2 bill. Not just any bill, a magic one. She instructed me to keep it in my wallet and never spend it unless I am flat broke. With this bill I would always have good luck.
The woman had tight, white curls, wrinkled skin, bright makeup, and a deep gaze. She fished the bill out of her wallet. A $2 bill, with MAGIC written in ink at the top. I was floored.
I told her I did not want a gift for my courtesy, but I knew the bill was mine to keep no matter what I said.
She gave me her name: Sarah. I gave her mine. As she left, she said, “I like your hair,” with a smile.
My day was important now.