Sometimes it's Beautiful

I had to stop by the grocery store for a couple of things, after a doctor's appointment today. Shortly after selecting my cart and making my way to the desired aisle, I noticed a woman standing with her cart, by the bread. She was older than I am, and had hair so short, she was just past being bald. I thought she looked beautiful. I wanted to talk to her, but I felt a little awkward. Not everyone with such short hair is a cancer patient. Some people just like it that way. Still, I had a gut feeling. I watched her vanish around a corner, then decided to grab the things I needed. When I found myself in the produce section, I looked at the bread again, wondering if she had gone far. I made my way to the back of the store, thinking up things to say. If I saw her again, I knew I would have to talk to her. As I rounded the corner, near the juice, I saw her not far away, looking at some items on an end-cap. Gathering my courage, I approached her. She wasn't looking at me when I said, “You look amazing!” She looked a little surprised, but she smiled and thanked me. Then she said she normally wears a hat, but it was just too warm, today. I told her she pulls off the look amazingly well and that I'd had the same do just a few months ago. She asked to get a look at the length of my hair, so I turned around and showed her the back. We briefly discussed the torture of waiting for our hair to grow back, and I once again assured her that she looked incredible, and that few women look that good in such a situation. I then said I hoped it was going well for her, and she said it was. She was all done with chemo. I smiled at her, said it was good, and told her to stay strong as I made my way around the corner, to another aisle, unable to stop smiling. I smiled at the checkout, I smiled through the parking lot, and I smiled as I got into the car.

It feels good to know there are others surviving the battle, and sharing that positive energy warms me. I hope I was able to brighten her day just a little. She really was beautiful, and I wanted her to know it.