By Melissa Henderson

The local farmer’s market has two great locations. One is a roadside stand with a dirt parking area and across the street is a store where customers can shop inside and dine at a small cafe. Home grown produce is found at both locations. The fruit or vegetable of the season is always in abundance.

Great care is given to stocking the shelves with delicious items such as homemade cookies, breads, jams and more.

Recently, my husband and I entered the store and went to look for items on our list. I stopped at the section with peaches while he walked to find honey crisp apples. We always find more than we are planning to buy.

Pausing at the display of baskets overflowing with huge peaches, I noticed a woman standing alone. Wearing a beautiful straw hat, she seemed almost hidden under the shadow of the hat brim. No smile. She appeared to be lost in her thoughts. I wondered if something serious was happening in her life.

We both began choosing peaches to check for flaws and freshness. Both of us were on the mission to find the right fruit to purchase and enjoy.

A few seconds passed and I felt the need to speak with the woman. Starting a conversation is not hard for me. I will talk to almost anyone.

Moving closer, I spoke and gave her a huge smile. “Aren’t these the biggest peaches?”

The lady lifted her face from under the brim of her straw hat and gave me the biggest smile.

“Why, yes they are huge. I’ve never seen anything like these peaches. Wonder where they were grown?”

From that one question, we began chatting and her face went from a look of sadness to a smile full of light. Her body stood taller and her smile shined brightly. A wonderful conversation continued. I will probably never know her story. That’s okay. She touched my heart in a special way.

On this hot summer day, a random act of sharing peach shopping and a smile allowed me to be blessed by the woman in the straw hat. I may never see her again, yet she made an impact on me. I hope I blessed her with the random act of a smile and conversation while shopping for peaches.

Blessings,

Melissa Henderson

Licky the Lizard