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Always
a Nice Day
As
published in Richard Carlson's "Don't
Sweat the Small Stuff" Series
"The
Don't Sweat Stories"
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--
---Each year I take a trip to San Antonio,
Texas, for the annual convention of the Texas Music Educators Association.
One of the highlights of this event is always the concert given by
the Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra, made up of some of the finest
high school musicians in the country. This year was no exception.
The orchestra performed this night with the skill and finesse common
to a professional orchestra, but there was something far more special
in the air. Orchestra and conductor seemed like one being.
---As an encore, the group performed
the Nimrod variation of Sir Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, following
an emotional and eloquent introduction by the conductor, in which
he explained the piece's theme of eternal friendship. He closed his
oration by giving thanks to the young musicians and sharing a custom
from his childhood in England. He stated that whenever one encounters
a special moment, one need only press his thumb and fourth finger
together and the moment will be cast in memory forever.
---Inspired, I floated out of the auditorium.
Arriving at my hotel room, I realized I had yet to have dinner, although
it was quite late. I picked up the phone and ordered a pizza from
an establishment I'd noticed earlier in the day. I figured a nighttime
stroll to pick up my dinner would afford me the opportunity to bask
in the memory of the evening's concert.
---I arrived at the restaurant and gave
the cashier my name. As I waited for my pizza in silence, she began
complaining about her work schedule and expressing relief that the
next day was her day off. She then remarked that it was certain to
rain; after all, it was her day off. Still basking in the glow of
Elgar's embers, I felt optimism sweep through me.
--- "It might not rain," I
told her. "Does the forecast call for rain?"
---"I don't know," she answered.
"I just know that I'm planning to go to the park with some friends,
so it's sure to rain."
---"Well, maybe it won't."
I don't quite know why, but I was stubborn in my insistence. She squinted
slightly. Who was the nutty stranger insisting that the weather would
hold?
--- "It's just that every time I
plan to go to the park it always rains, so I know it will tomorrow."
Tilting her head defiantly, she raised her eyebrows as if daring me
to disagree again.
---"Well, I'll bet tomorrow will
be different. Besides, even if it rains, you will still be with your
friends." I wouldn't allow her to be negative.
---She flashed me a half smile as if
to concede, giving up her pessimism. About this time my pizza arrived.
She rang it up, took my money, and thanked me in just the manner she
had been trained.
---As I took my pizza and started to
leave, she said, "This is when I'm supposed to say `have a nice
night,' but somehow I know you will."
---I just smiled. I left the establishment
and crossed the street, balancing my precious pizza. I had to carry
my pizza in one hand, you see; the other was occupied. My thumb and
fourth finger were firmly engaged.
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