People are funny. This fact has never been more apparent to me than over the last year of book signings. Although the quirks of dealing with the public are not exactly a surprise there have been countless moments where I just let my jaw hang slack and, “huh?”, becomes the best response I can muster. I have experienced everything from hilarious to bizarre; with poignant and touching revelations slamming me back to Earth just when I start to lose my faith in humanity. Mostly, I feel inspired by talking with people, but occasionally, those conversations make such an impression they become part of my “signing chronicles.”
At a recent Costco Book signing I met a jaunty “gentleman” in his mid-seventies. He leered at the book posters surrounding the signing table before strutting up to me. With a swagger and a yellow-toothed grin, he told me he had recently lost forty pounds. I congratulated him and took the bait, “How did you do it?” He took my hand and winked as he said, “I started chasing women.” This walking advertisement for Viagra then leaned in and asked if I wanted to help him lose five more. Hmmm. Tempting, but... no. Had I been as quick as my friend Katrina I would have shot back “Heck yeah. My herpes has not flared up in over two weeks.” But sadly, I just stood there, yet again, mouth agape. Perhaps some moments need no flourish to earn entrance into (cue theme music)…the Signing Chronicles.
Another memorable moment happened at a Deseret Book store. I had not even found my designated table before an older gentleman bounded in with the energy of a puppy, grabbed my arm and asked if he could show me a certain framed portrait of Jesus on display. Don’t ask me why he felt compelled to share. I went reluctantly with him to a separate section of the book store where he excitedly pointed to a famous image of Christ. He proclaimed it was out of this very picture that years ago Jesus had actually emerged, appearing to him—in person. Feeling sure I had missed his meaning, I agreed it was a great picture and truly projected the spirit of the subject beyond the canvas. Oh no, no, no. He immediately set me straight. The artwork was not what he saw, but an actual manifestation of a person had emerged from the painting into a 3-dimensional being.
Although I’m not arrogant enough to put limits on the faith of others, and I believe miracles occur on a daily basis, I stood there blankly, with no idea how to respond to this particular story. I was quickly reduced down to a head scratch and a “huh.” I navigated back to my signing table, more than a little relieved to be in screaming earshot of other people.
On the flip side sometimes I am inspired. One particularly humbling encounter was with a friendly woman in her late 50’s with beautiful eyes. She asked me to sign her book while we chatted about her weight concerns. She looked great to me and laughed amiably when I told her so. With refreshing honesty she went on to tell me that her sweetheart of 40 years had passed away one year ago and she could not discern what her body needed anymore because the loneliness and grief were paralyzing. She could not “hear” her needs because she no longer cared. I could not have known from her sunny personality that she was starving to death while compassionately engaging me, a perfect stranger. Her giving nature was revealed as she asked me questions and offered compliments. Meanwhile, she battled sadness inside. I will never forget her grace as she steered the discussion away from herself and back to me, where she attentively listened and inquired about my happiness.
There are many gifts in this world, and certainly one of the most unsung is the ability to lose oneself in the care of others. This sweet woman was blessed with a fountain of unselfish consideration, while at the same time experiencing adversity that could just as easily made her bitter and withdrawn. I learned more about managing grief in ten minutes with her than I could in years of therapy. My prayers and gratitude go out to her.
Tres Hatch is the author of Miracle Pill 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, & Sexy.
No comments:
Post a Comment