I am standing at the service desk, busy for a change, because the store front is buzzing. There is a lady picking up a parcel to my left. No worries there: my coworker’s got it covered.
Another colleague is tapping away at a keyboard to my right, helping a customer she’s got on the phone.
I am trying really hard to remember what the three of us were talking about just now, but it’s difficult with so many distractions. Like the man unloading the contents of his trolley onto my conveyor belt, smiling at me kindly.
I smile back, equally kindly, and feel my right hand reach for the scanner. An automated move, imprinted in me only 5 weeks into this job.
So many things have become a new custom already. Scanning, smiling, small talk, helping customers pay (or making them). I feel like one of those Madagascar penguins: smile and wave. Then repeat.
My ears pick up on a familiar tune and even before I realize what is happening, I hum along – automatically.
Three seconds later my brains make the connection: oh my goodness, this song is my new happy song!
Sure, it’s only the last bit of it, but if we hadn’t gotten three customers pop up out of nowhere, I wouldn’t have noticed it at all for talking with my colleagues.
My smile broadens and the man on my side of the desk probably thinks it’s because of him, since his smile brightens, too.
This Weekly Loss was going to be about forgetting a lot, lately. And feeling forgotten by the Universe.
Instead, I got reminded of something: there is a happy moment in every day. Even if it’s as small as unexpectedly hearing your favourite song.
And this reminder hit me like daylight ❤
Elle Vampa 