Why do old men make me so happy?

This morning I woke up a little confused. I had a lot of weird dreams that had put me in a really weird mood and I wasn't entirely sure what was goin on. However, I left and went to the book store because I had to get some homework finished...see I never bought the book for this history class but I had some homework in the book. So in order to save money, I went to the store and read my homework while trying to pretend I was just checking out some different books. In fact I was cheating the book store and not buying the book...Anyways while I'm doing this illegal, covert mission, this man that worked at the store started talking to me. He was this cute man and was extremely nice. The conversation went something like this:

"Hi there miss, would you need me to help you with something?"
"No sir, I'm just looking around"
"You have the most lovely hair, did you know that?"
"Oh than you so much, I really appreciate it"
"Have you been to Ireland?"
"Yes I have! I've been there three times now"
"Oh wonderful, I have been there, did you rent a car?"
"When I went with my family I did and we did a lot of sight seeing"
"How wonderful. Did you manage to see Dublin?"
"Yes I did, it was great there."
"Pretty expensive though, huh?"
"Yea, it cost a lot to do anything"

Looking back on this simple conversation, I was quickly reading a segment about slave trade in the 1800s Africa and was trying to show this man I didn't have much time to talk. However, I wish I had taken an extra minute to enjoy his company. Had I been in Spain, I would have been thrilled to have an old man talking to me. It amazes me how much I used to try and communicate with everyone and anyone when I was in Spain...I miss that passion I used to have with talking to strangers. Probably because I loved the challenge of talking to Spanish. English just isnt as interesting....

However, I went to class after this. My first class is in an Art museum on campus and everyday there is a guard there that lets people in and keeps an eye on who enters and exits. He's a charming old man and I always give him a nice smile and a nod. Ocassionally we say hello. This morning, he greeting me with a wide smile and said "Good morning!" in a very cheerful matter. I responded equally as happy and said "Good morning to you too!" He said back "And what a good morning it is, especially being a Monday. Enjoy class" "Thank you," I responded.

I walked away with a huge grin on my face because I hadn't really thought of it as being a great day until he said something to me. It cheered me up greatly because sometimes you have to be reminded that each day is a gift and that each day is equally, if not more wonderful than the last day. This is something that we all need to remember, especially me and you Malia. Each day is wonderful because we are alive. We can't forget that :)