The Deli
We walked into the deli, and as usual there were long lines. This is the most popular deli in my neighborhood. On Sunday mornings the lines are at their longest, with people ordering sandwiches, salads, bagels, etc. There is a lot of hustle and bustle as the employees try to keep pace with the demand for their services. The line of people waits patiently; or so it seems.
In situations like these, when many people are in the same place, at the same time, looking for the same thing, there is a sense of tension and competition. It is detectable on the faces of the patrons, who reveal through their stern expressions that they only want to get to the head of the line and get their food.
I was with my daughter Jillian. We were on our way back from Sunday Mass, and we stopped at the deli to get some bagels and cream cheese. The line was moving at its usual slow and halting pace, and the mood was uncomfortable. Behind me on the line stood a man, who had the expected unfriendly expression on his face; but then Jillian turned to him with a smile and said “hi”. The man was startled. With an infectious goodness Jillian followed up by saying brightly, “my name is Jillian”. The man melted, and then Jillian asked for his name. He said his name was Bill. In response Jillian rewarded him with a “high five”!
It seemed that all the patrons in the store were taken in by this interaction. The mood of the deli was transformed. The tension was broken; the competition was gone. The deli employee named Joe told Jillian that she looked very pretty, and others joked with Joe about how he never tells them that they are pretty. Jillian then handed Joe the money for the bagels and cream cheese; and after an exchange of thank you’s and goodbyes, Jillian and I were on our way home.
Only Jillian could have transformed that moment in the way that caused everyone to put aside their anxieties, and be affected by her goodness. She has Down syndrome, and it is unfortunate that many people consider it a dire affliction with little to no redeeming social value. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Most of us do not understand how best to share the world with one another, but Jillian provides valuable instruction in that critical area of life.
Moreover, as we encounter the endless number of deli-like moments in our life, and are caught up in simple and self-centered mindsets, it causes me to wonder if the “developmentally delayed” label is better suited for those who are not keeping pace with the good examples set by Jillian.