The beauty of a simple hello
Every Wednesday, I meet someone. It’s not planned, our paths just cross. Same thing a moment ago.
He’s from Nigeria and his name is Livinus. He’s the guy who cleans the stairwell and the other shared spaces where I live.
We always have a chat in our slightly broken English. It might be about the weather or traditional dishes from his home country. Today we mostly talked about ice cream.
I love those moments. There’s always laughter and a few fist bumps.
Often, neighbors pass by while we’re chatting. No one ever says hi. I don’t think they even notice it’s us, the guy who’s lived in the building for over a decade, and the man who’s been keeping it clean for just as long.
I think it’s sad. Not in a personal way. Just sad that people move through life without noticing the beautiful and rewarding moments that come from talking to, or simply greeting, a “stranger”.
It feels like it’s all about me and what’s next. No time for others or now. As if real life is second-hand.
As for me, it's ice cream time...