Mission Day: 4

Wow, today was just one of those days. It all started at 6:00am when I left my house for work. I just about got killed by a 1000 year old woman on her cell phone who either didn't know where she was going, or didn't know how to drive in the first place. She just went flying right through a red light at Kennerly & Tesson Ferry as I was trying to go to Bread Company. I mean seriously; of all the people I would be one to get killed going to Bread Co.

Then work was friggin' crazy all day long. I showed up early to ensure that the menial stuff got out of the way because I knew we had a hectic surgical schedule and a full appointment schedule. But the moment the phones turned over, and people started coming in the door it was non-stop. I didn't even get to eat my Bread Co breakfast sandwich, and then I didn't get to eat my lunch until 6:00pm!! I was so sad. My Bread Company -yes, i did have Bread Co for lunch too- sandwich was still good though, but it just wasn't the same 5 hours after it was made.

Anyways, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to stop and pursue my goal for the day of meeting at least one new person because I didn't see anyone at Bread Co in the wee hours of the morning, and I didn't leave the office all day. Yet, I made it a point to stop somewhere I could at least hopefully bump into someone I could try to talk to.

So I stopped at Dierbergs to get some dinero from the ATM, and get something to drink. There amongst the fluorescent lights, over priced groceries, and fabulous Christmas music it happened....A woman about 70 years old -and quite possibly the same one who almost killed me this morning- slammed into me with her cart as she came out of an aisle.

Oh my Gosh I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and should have stopped looking at my list." Said the lady
Oh, it's okay, I've been hit harder!" I replied, even thought it really did hurt like a bitch and I thought my right leg was going to have a dent in it for the rest of my life.
"Are you okay?"
Yeah, I'm fine it's no big deal. I don't think there was any permanent damage" Even though I was just about to burst into tears because she also totally slammed into my hand and bent my finger in an ungodly position.
"Well do you want my information in case you need to go to the doctor?
Oh my goodness no. It seriously isn't that big of a deal; I don't think I'll be going to the doctor. I promise it was okay. My name is Colin, I shop here all the time so I'm sure we'll "bump" into each other again!
Oh my, I bet you're right! My name is Lorraine, and I'm here quite a bit so I'm sure I will see you again soon. Next time I'll have to bring my special cart bumpers

And with that I lost it. I was laughing so hard with a complete stranger -and a 5' tall female senior citizen- in the middle of the Snack Pak aisle in Dierbergs. I was literally laughing so hard that I was seeing little stars in my eyes, and she was laughing so hard she was holding on the her cart. Although I'm not sure if she was laughing at what she said like I was, or if she was laughing at me.

Honestly, what she said wasn't all that funny, but the gestures she made and the way she said it just made me lose it. I was probably a little slap happy so that sure didn't help. Yet, this just goes to prove the reason I am doing this experiment: Even complete strangers can warm your heart with laughter if you just take the time to "bump" into someone.

Thanks for tuning in tonight to Colin. Always. and remember: Even life's accidents can be just what you needed to make you stop and enjoy life.