My Virtual Reading Room

The man said, "Damn! I specifically asked the guy at the deli not to put peppers on my sandwich, but look at this — it looks like he actually put EXTRA peppers on it."

The woman replied, "Wow — you're right! That sandwich is full of peppers. That sucks, dude. He ruined your lunch."

The man said, "Yeah. It sucks. I really, really hate peppers."

Long silence. Then the man added, in a different tone (a far more thoughtful tone): "On the other hand, I just feel lucky that I was able to buy myself lunch at all today — you know what I mean?"

Woman: "Huh. That's a good outlook, I guess..."

Man, even more thoughtfully: "No, I'm serious. I was homeless for a while in my life. Did you know that?"

Woman: "Seriously? Homeless? YOU?"

Man. "Homeless for two years. People gave me food sometimes, but I never had any money buy my own food. So for me today, to be able to buy myself lunch at all? To have a job? A place to live? That's a pretty lucky thing, right? I mean, I should just be grateful that I have food at all, right? What do I care about a few peppers, amiright?"

Woman: "Wow. I never knew that. That's amazing. That's a beautiful way to see things."

(Meanwhile, Liz stands there with her back to both of them, clutching her heart, with her eyes swimming in tears.)

Gratitude, you guys. Gratitude. Freaking GRATITUDE.

It gets me every single time.

ONWARD,
LG