When Jeffery was a boy, he lived in Shilo, Manitoba. He laughed about getting his first frostbite in Manitoba. He had a strong memory of how cold the winters are in the prairies. He was calling me from Montreal, and I told him I had been there twice and how surprised I was at how much I loved that city. I explained that there was some language barrier but not as bad as when I was in Quebec City. Jeffery prefers Quebec City over Montreal. It was comforting to know that someone that lives in Quebec has no ability to speak French just like myself.
When Jeffery was a child, he and his brother rode all across Canada with their dad. I told him I was jealous of him traveling across Canada because it had always been a dream of mine. He laughed as he shared the story of his dad helping someone that had broken down on the highway, and the man offered him money. Their Dad didn't take it and the kids couldn't believe what they were witnessing. I immediately shared my story of recently helping three young girls stranded on the highway.
He did touch on the reason for the call and reminded me he had sent a video to replace the part and he was sure I could do the repair myself. I guess he thought he should get back to work and we ended the conversation. I simply said, "it's been great talking to you" and he said, "likewise".
I am not one of those people that strikes up a conversation with just anyone. I am direct when it comes to doing business on the phone. So, why Jeffery? It was clear that Jeffery enjoyed talking to people. He wanted to find out something about everyone he spoke to. He brightened my day and made me feel good about myself. I hope I had the same effect on him.
I am sure that not everyone will chat with Jeffery, but they should. That conversation reminded me of how important it is to take the time to invest in someone else. Since Covid I do make a point of asking each store clerk, server or random person how they are doing. Many lift their heads from what they are doing, often a computer, and actually reply. It does seem that I hear, "have a good day" from employees that run a till, such as at a drive through or a grocery store. I know they are told to say it, but some people really need to hear that nugget of encouragement.
I had a dear friend that called a wrong number and ended up reaching someone that lived in the states. My friend talked to everyone that crossed her path and that included a wrong number. Of course, she struck up a conversation with the wrong number person, just like Jeffery and they became fast friends. They at some point met. My friend is gone now, but I can still see her with her huge diamonds and elegant look, talking to everyone and anyone. She would start every conversation with, "tell me about.....". She would ask to be the greeter at church so she could interact with everyone that went to church. I am pretty sure Alice would be sad about the state of the world right now. She would never have survived the isolation of Covid and the disconnect that has resulted.
Talking on the phone is fast becoming something we don't do. Often a phone call is made while driving or on the speaker phone while working on something else in the kitchen. When I phone someone, I pour coffee and pretend we are having coffee together. Texting is a quick and easy way of communicating. You get the answers you want in a short amount of time. The world needs more people like Jeffery and Alice to remind us that we need to make someone's day.
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