It’s So Simple
It was a forty five minute drive from where my daddy worked in Durham, NC to our home in the country. Late one summer evening after spending all day hanging out at the mall where he sold electronics, we could finally call it a day. I propped my feet up on the dash on the passenger side of his old green van settling in for the ride. I said “ Daddy, do you like selling TVs and stuff? ”. He said, “ Not as much as listening to the people I sell them too. I meet people with money, people without money, funny people and angry people but by the time were done talking Ive made a friend or two and learned a thing or two.
As I rode and listened he went on to say that if you just listen more than talk there is so much you can learn from others. People love to talk, he laughed. I learned how to build that horse barn we have out back of the house by listening to a man rant about how his son -in- law was good for nothing. He sold TVs by the way. I also learned where the tax office was downtown , where to park and a good place to eat barbeque nearby. All because a lady who wanted to buy a clock radio was long winded. I smiled, he said. Looked at her while she spoke, nodded a few times and ahumm, hummed when appropriate.
Son, Im telling you, if you just listen to folks youll get and go far in this life. I sold that lady two tape decks that day.
I remember the window was rolled down and the evening breeze was cool on my skin. We stopped at a traffic light just outside of town and up ahead on the side of the road there was this old man changing a tire on his pick-up truck. Dad pulled over and told me to stay put. I watched as he helped the old guy get the spare on and tighten the lugs. When Dad got back in the van he told me we were going to follow this guy home.
Down a dirt road, past a few old rusty mailboxes, a huge field of tobacco ready for harvest we came upon a modest little house. We turned in and an old woman walked up and spoke with the old man and disappeared around back of the house. A few minutes later, while he and Dad talked, the ragged woman and a younger man walked up beside the van with a wagon. The wagon was full of sweet potatoes and cucumbers. Daddy said thank you, shook the mans hand and we were on our way.
Dad smiled, starting the engine. “ That man knew my uncle.” he said. That night we had cucumber sandwiches for supper. They were some- kinda good.
Listening to and helping people are such simple and easy things to do and rarely puts another out anything but maybe a few minutes and a bead of sweat. In this world today its difficult to find help or even to give help for fear of violence and thievery. People expect simple respectful acts to be commonplace but as I listen to a person complain I see it is the very person that drives right by another person in need.
At supper that night I prayed silently for what I was given. Glad I had something to eat. I remembered Some days I would forget my lunch money at school and go hungry. Later that evening my father told me it was a lucky thing we had run into that man with the vegetables. Times were tough he said.
I thought God must have known we would be hungry and made that man have a flat tire.
Years later when I hear the phrase “Give it to God” I am joyful. So glad to hear that not only in times of trouble but in times of triumph we can remember our faith. Faith in more than ourselves.
Sharing stories and connecting with people are strong words of wisdom. Listening and caring in that way help to educate the young and old to insure a brighter future.
Inspiration comes from such unusual people and places but you must first hear and relate before you discuss react and plan to move forward.
I think respect comes from believing in a persons truth. The truth comes from the experience. The experience may not always come after a person learns the truth. So it is important to respect the belief.
Generation after generation I have heard my elders say “ They must learn it for themselves. Dont try and explain it because they wont believe you.” I must admit there is no better way to learn than the hard way. The wisdom is to save the heartache and dry up the tears. Listen, share, give and care are words to live by. We are all we have, we and the Almighty. Its so simple.
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