This is a true story but it could truly be used as a metaphorical anecdote indeed!
My train commute started out as usual, save for several open parking spots and the tons of snow all over the lot!
I found my favorite seat and began my normal morning routine - check and respond to new emails, send daily horoscopes to my wife and brother in law, find a Daily Inspirational quote to shoot off to people I believe will benefit from reading it on any given day, and then browse the WSJ, Financial Times, NY Post (of course) and NY Times on my Droid phone.
The doors opened at the first stop after I got on the train and I suddenly heard "May I sit in this seat, Sir"?
I said "of course" and the response was "AWESOME. Thank you so much!"
I was seated in a 5 seater with three on one side and two on the other and this young man of ten years old with glasses and the most colorful scarf quickly jumped into the seat next to me. His Mom quickly followed behind and got him unbundled!
Before she could even get to the hood of his coat, he introduced himself to me so politely I was blown away.
"Hello, Sir. My name is Sebastian. Nice to meet you. What is your name?" he reached his hand out for a shake.
" My name is Douglas. Nice to meet you Sebastian." and we shook on it!
Over the course of the next 40 minutes, young Sebastian (speaking in French to his Mom as she tried to focus his attention on reading and not "disturbing" the quiet, reading commuters with small talk) owned that section of this MetroNorth Train with his sheer enthusiasm, politeness, anecdotes, and natural positive personality.
When the female train conductor stopped at our seats for collection Sebastian asked her if she could make Tinkerbell out of the ticket (apparently done for him before by a very creative conductor), she told him she could not and seemed not to notice just who she was dealing with this lovely morning.
Sebastian looked at her through his glasses and merely said in response:
"That is ok. You are the most beautiful conductor I have ever seen in my life". This brought laughs from everyone around us and smiles from ear to ear on every single commuter in earshot!
Even the business-like conductor melted and said: "Why thank you and you are a mighty handsome young man. You certainly made my day!"
And he certainly did... but Sebastian's work was not done just yet!
Over the course of the trip I learned the following from this special young boy:
"His Mom's coat was real leopard"
"His friend was on the train as well."
"He has a boy who is his enemy who tries to punch his mom (in the breasts no less)
" He and his friend are training to be Super Heroes and he showed me the results of his training on his biceps"
"He was going to his Mom's work where she is the Boss - and she likes bossing everyone around"
" He liked my name because it is the same name as our President"
"He asked me if I was a President and when I said 'No' he said I should be because 'I looked like a President'
"He asked me why I was not wearing a tie and I told him because work is slow and it was ok to not wear one this week, he said I really should wear a tie". I promised him I would starting tomorrow.
"He felt I was a 'really nice Man' and he thought I should be our President."
He marveled at the snow out the window, told me when we were going into tunnels, and pointed out things on our neighboring commuter's newspaper that he found fascinating - especially "American Football".
All the while calling me "Douglas" each time and beaming with the rare, genuine excitement that we all probably once held as youngsters, but has since been washed away from us over times, struggles, and human interactions.
At first his Mom tried to keep him quiet and distracted, but she quickly realized that neither I nor my fellow 5-seater commuter companion minded his banter and questions, and observations in the least.
In fact it was thoroughly enjoyable, refreshing and welcomed!!!
The trip culminated quicker than any commute into work I believe I ever had and the "piece de resistance" came when Sebastian told me how nice I was to speak with him and leaned over to give me a peck on my cheek!
"Keep up the good work, Douglas", he told me as he re-bundled and got ready to de-train.
As we left the train - he and his Mom heading to work to boss some people around, and me to the subway, i heard him calling "Douglas", "Douglas" behind me from the crowded platform. I stopped and waited for them to catch up in the crowd. Sebastian once again thanked me for our chat and told me "You really need to be President, Douglas."
It was an amazingly rejuvenative commute, all brought on by a special young 10 year old who sees life as we all should see it -- through the eyes of the grateful, the eyes of wonder and enthusiasm, the eyes of the present moment!
Filled with kindness, gentleness, and love!
This young man and his Mom have a long road ahead of them, but I am certain that the special gift that God has given him will take him places, and accomplish things that we do not even measure on our daily scales of success!
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sit next to Sebastian! Merci Beaucoup, mon petit jeune garcon!
My day has been made and for that I am grateful as well!!!
Just remember, you never know from where your source of happiness will come today!
Stay Strong!
