My Image

I was walking home from the coffee shop where I had been fruitlessly waiting for my car to be finished getting fixed (grrrr!). It was cold, I was wearing a huge sweater and a big bulky coat, and carrying a big shoulder bag with my laptop in it. I was striding with some purpose as I was eager to get out of the winter weather.

I heard a southern-tinged, older urban voice from behind and then alongside me: "You walk just like a cowgirl packing a big gun," he said with a smile.

I was momentarily nonplussed and at a loss as to how to respond. "I just might be," I said cheerfully, "you never know!"

"That's right," he laughed, "you never do know."

Maybe I do have a bit of a swagger these days. And who knows, maybe I am packing, too, metaphorically speaking. There was something about this unsolicited, spontaneous observation from a total stranger that tickled me. We don't often get an opportunity to see ourselves as others see us.

It was like getting an unexpected gift from a secret Santa.