Nice People

by Pat Antonopoulos

Sometimes we forget.
In the rush of errands, obligations and the stress that keeps us keyed to rush-mode, we forget.
If we have a tendency towards the belief that the Pope isn't the sole owner of infallibility, we forget that disagreement isn't a call to temporary dismissal.
If we haven't had much success lengthening that short fuse, we muddle reason with anger and prejudices.
If we know people though the movie or TV screen we are duped into styles of communication that we profess to disallow in our homes.
It is easy to forget that nice not only matters, but is what makes the day-to-day the gift that it is.
An elderly clerk at the grocery manages a real smile even though retirement was interrupted by a broken financial promise.
A stranger phones with a sincere compliment about a recent venture.
A good friend comes to share the discomfort of an embarrassingly unsuccessful afternoon.
Long ago associates offer advice regarding an unexpected problem.
Close and trusted friends always---always---appreciate the smallest effort.
Joggers and walkers nod and smile at each passing.
The UPS guy still smiles after the trek up the long driveway that is too narrow for his truck.
A local fire fighter waves grandparents into the drive and invites the 2 year old to 'operate' the pumper.
Our postal clerk keeps a basket of suckers for the kids who share the line with parents or grandparents.
These are not small things.
These are individual markers of a universal. Nice happens.