"Welcome to the best day of your life!"

About three weeks ago, I set out with our daughter to go grocery shopping. Her carrier takes up most of the space in the shopping cart and putting the bagged groceries around her is like a crazy game of Tetris. I had the cart piled high and was on my way out of the store when an employee asked if he could help me. I was hesitant at first, but am trying to wean myself off of stubbornness. I told him that yes, I could use the help.

On our way to the car he began telling me about his day.

"I love the Disney channel, don't you?", he asked.

I looked at him for a second thinking it was strange for a 25+ year old man to talk about the Disney channel. I saw an innocence in him, a child like wonder. I could tell that he was much younger mentally than his physical age.

"Yeah, I like the Disney channel. What's your favorite show?", I asked.

We talked for about ten minutes as he put the groceries in the trunk and I loaded Amaya into the car. He told me about his favorite show, asked me if the Washington Redskins would be at the Super Bowl, and told me he liked my name because it was just like Nicki Minaj. He was so sweet and seemed to have something so rare...joy.

Today, on my way out of the grocery store with my shopping cart piled high, he approached me again. I agreed to let him help me and again, he brought up his favorite cartoons. We laughed about how awesome the Disney channel is and how beautiful the weather was today.

As we walked he proclaimed, "Today is the best day ever!".

"Why is that?", I asked?

"I didn't get hit by a car!", he beamed.

I smiled. "That's a good thing! I'm glad you're safe. Do you like your job?"

"I LOVE my job! It's the best! My boss interviewed me today and gave me candy!" He reached out his hand and in it were three half melted Hershey Kisses.

He helped me load my groceries with a smile and a short quiz on Disney cartoon characters.

"What's your name again?", he asked.

"It's Nikki." I reached out to shake his hand. "And what's your name?"

"That's right! Just like Nicki Minaj!My name is Raymond. Just like, 'Everybody Loves Raymond'! Do you like that show?"

"I love that show!", I said as I put my purse in the car.

"You can't tip me because my boss says I get paid. Maybe you could bring me candy, though? Next time?" Raymond said seriously.

He told me in detail his top favorite candies and we agreed that I will take him some Skittles next time.

Then, just as I was about to leave Raymond looked at me and said, "Welcome to the best day of your life, Nikki!". With that, he took my shopping cart and continued talking to himself as he walked towards the store.

As I drove away I thought about how I had been bummed all morning and stressed about insignificant little things. Raymond reminded me that yes, this is the best day of my life because I'll never have this day again.

Perspective. It's an ebb and flow scenario, isn't it? One minute we are thankful and the next we are unhappy. We see the fragility of life and soon after we live as though we're invincible. What if we could live with true joy and spread that joy without fear of rejection?

I want you to say to you, "Welcome to the best day of your life!"