I dressed myself carefully but casually, and then drove to Vinings, a small historic enclave adjacent to where I live. I wanted to buy a baby gift and explore a new shop that had opened. Vinings is hilly and I drove down a steep hill and parked in front of the new store.

I enjoyed tasting pie samples and cheese and cracker bites. Then I found a sweet knitted lion for the baby gift. I chatted with the shopkeepers and they told me to come to the May Market, where there will be at least one food truck. Sounds lovely.

The weather is perfect April. I drove back up the hill and parked in the main lot where all the shops are located. I chose to eat at a restaurant doing a busy brunch business. I enjoyed a chicken sandwich and fries with a latte. Believe it or not, that was my first latte with a design on it. I lapped it up out of the oversize cup. So good.

While eating, I people-watched. A young black couple came in and they were both drop-dead gorgeous. I felt they were married, or at least a couple. They were dressed very chicly and were shown out to the patio. In ten minutes or so, they came inside to eat.

After my meal was over, on the way to the restroom, I was moved to stop and say, “I just want to tell you how beautiful you are.” I was looking at the woman and she was visibly touched. I struck up a brief conversation with them. As we talked, I saw her eyes filling up with tears of gratitude for my words to her. And I remembered a time when a stranger had said similar words to me at a time when I was doubting myself.

Sure enough, she had decided to have a “Me Day,” since she had had a bad work week. I then told her how much I enjoyed taking myself to lunch. How I had watched them come in and been struck by their looks. The guy had a quiet smile and was pleased I had complimented the woman. I told them I was a writer and would probably journal about this when I got home.

“The last lesson to learn,” I told her, “is to love and be kind to yourself.” She listened intently while I spoke, as did the man. I said that the spirit brings people together and that it happened when people were being present to each other. They totally got it. I knew it by the tears that kept filling her brown eyes.

Then I stopped in the florist to browse around and popped in the bookstore next door to it. This is a tiny shop called “Read.” People were sitting outside drinking coffee and reading.

I should do this more often. I feel so rejuvenated. It doesn’t take much to please a weary spirit, whether you are enlivening yourself or perfect strangers. Being is its own gift.

Vicki Woodyard