What Makes Me So Very Happy

Once upon a time, I worked in retail. There were a number of cashiers that would come into the office in the morning to get their cash drawers and go open a register on the sales floor. One of them, whose name escapes me, was consistently pleasant, smiling, upbeat and happy. One day, I approached her at the register on the way out the door and I commented on her constantly positive and infectiously upbeat attitude.

”What makes you so happy every day?” I asked.

She looked at me, and without hesitating, simply replied: "I start every day with somebody that I really love”.

I remember being deeply moved by that response. It wasn’t what I expected. I don’t know what I did expect, but that wasn’t it. It was such a beautiful sentiment to express. It spoke volumes about the value this “other person” had in her life.

I’ve never forgotten that touching, brief yet poignant exchange. I’ve carried that memory with me for some 30+ years. And now, I can say that I know just what that feels like.

You’ve made me so very happy,
I'm so glad you came into my life.
- Blood, Sweat and Tears