Miss Lopez

Miss Lopez works for the Social Security office in Pensacola, FL and when my number was called I walked down the long hall past several other windows where others were being helped to sit down in front of her.  Her white dress was splashed with blue flowers and she smiled pleasantly as she introduced herself to help me officially change my name.

Patti & Selma from The Simpsons

We chatted a bit about my recent marriage and move from Wisconsin to Florida as she processed the paperwork I had already prepared.  She was efficient and in a couple minutes I was on my way.  The thought crossed my mind about how friendly and helpful she was.  It seems many times government jobs are held by cranky, tired people who remind us of Patti and Selma on The Simpsons.  Someone who is really not very happy about the fact that their job is interfering with their social life and it appears that they struggle with finding any joy in life what-so-ever.  Refreshingly, it appeared Miss Lopez not only enjoys her job but enjoys life.

So imagine my pleasure when a couple hours later, 15 miles away, I ran into her at the local Target store.  She was still wearing her blue flowered dress and her radiant smile was easy to recognize as we greeted one another and chatted about the coincidence.

Little did she know the impact she had on this social butterfly who now lives many miles away from where she emerged from the cocoon.  Miss Lopez brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes as I walked away having been recognized in a place where I flit around seeing many faces but knowing no one.

I guess butterflies are just naturally drawn to bright flowers.