Masks

I stood in line at Jugo Juice today at the Calgary airport when a man looked over at me with his mask half hanging on his face and said.. ‘it’s a new world isn’t it’.  I said, ‘it certainly is’.  He asked me if I had just come from Kelowna and I said yes.  He said he was in Kelowna on business and that he is the founder of a massive global restaurant chain which started in Canada.  By him!.  We said a few more things when both of our paninis came up.  He asked if he could join me where I was sitting.  I said sure why not, covid travel and all.

We took our masks off and spent the next 1 ½ hours sharing stories of our lives.  Business, kids, travel, family, .. it was easy conversation.  I learned that people from all walks of life have struggles, challenges.   How interesting when I asked how did you build so many stores!  How we shared that times were different in the mid 90’s...  that competition was less back then.  That they have ridden the roller coaster of business in many facets and yet here they are.  I felt so proud of this man.  Humble and hard working.  What a great story.   And what a beautiful family he has.  

For years I talked with strangers.  The past number of years I stopped.  I put my head down more, I keep to myself more.  Though my boyfriend would disagree.  He is anti social to the core so he still sees me as very social.  But what my new friend did today I had given up on.  Cared less.   

We both boarded our flight to Winnipeg at which point they stopped me and said my mask does not qualify to board their aircraft.  Really??  This mask thing is getting out of hand.  The lady ran to another desk,  scrounged around, found one and handed it to me with her full hand all around it.  Great.  I love that.  I have to take off my own mask and replace it with the new germ infested one.  Makes sense.  

I sat down in my non reclining seat (huge pet peeve!!) and I realized.  I am grateful.  I have a new friend.  And maybe next time I’ll take the time to smile at a stranger.  Our world is small.  And in these new times, how refreshing to meet someone who clearly lives an exciting life yet took the time to say hello to a stranger.  Thanks Pita Pit founder.  Lesson learned!