Honks for the Boys (07/02/2024)

My husband and I decided to stop for coffee and breakfast burritos at the local coffee shop. As we pulled up to the shop, we noticed three young boys standing together outside the shop watching something intently. We went inside, placed our orders and then found a table near the front window where we watched the boys. We finally figured out what they were doing. They were watching for trucks. And when a truck approached, all three raised their arms with clenched fists and pumped them up and down. And every trucker responded with a blast of their horns as they passed. And the boys would jump with joy.

We ate slowly, enjoying the great burritos and chai as well as the sight of the boys, working together to gain the rewarding honks from the truckers. We watched the truckers, too. We weren’t sure who was most happy – the boys who were rewarded with the honks or the truckers whose day was punctuated by these appreciative lads.

I imagine that encountering someone who was so elated to see you and so eager for your greeting would make a trucker’s day. It would not only break up the monotony but also spice up the chore. My husband shared that he thought the truckers were enjoying the exercise more than the boys.

I spent a lot of time reflecting on the simple exercise of cooperation, the boys vigilantly watching for trucks coming from all directions and then as a team gesturing to the truckers, and the truckers responding to the silent pleas, many with an extra honk or an extended honk. Our world could use such cooperation elsewhere.

What if we all spent time watching for others who can share what they have to make a difference? What if we all responded as generously when asked to share what we have, to do what we specifically can do? Oh, can you imagine how our world could be different, would be different?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.