Stranger Danger

Today.
Wearing my school/work shirt.
In the cookies and crackers aisle of Fry's:

old lady: Oh, yum! Graham crackers! These are just the best snack!
me: mhmm.
old lady: It's my neighbor's birthday. He turned 78 or something. He's old but he loves graham crackers. You know, these are what they give you in the hospital. Even if you're diabetic! My husband, he's diabetic, but that's what they gave him in the hospital... graham crackers. Hmmm, oh cinnamon. These look good. Hmmm, is that all they have?
me: I think the regular one's are down there.
old lady: Oh, there they are! Yes! Why thank you! (sees my shirt) Oh, where do you work?
me: a charter school in Mesa.
old lady: (dramatic gasp) How neat! Oh that is just great. What grade do you teach?
me: I'm actually a Resource teacher.
old lady: (confused hesitation)
me: Special Ed.
old lady: Oh my! Well you are a great person. There's a special place in heaven for you guys. That is just so neat!
me: Ya, I'm loving it.
old lady: Oh good. Wow that is just so great. (silence). Graham crackers really are just the best treat. Oh they are so good. You know, I sat down with some and a cup of tea last night. I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat so I had that and, oh, it was just the best treat.
me: Oh cool.
old lady: You know, my friend Frank has a son who taught special ed. He was just so great. He was at a high school. He worked with the older kids.
me: Neat.
old lady: Ya, his class was... that's where all the, you know, handicapped kids are. But ya he just loves it. Well, you have a fantastic day and a wonderful career. God bless you in your career. Have a great day!
me: Thanks, you too.

Can you believe this? Some people are so friendly. I love it! This is the epitome of my greatest fear. Never in a million years would I (nor could I) spontaneously strike up a conversation with a stranger shopping for graham crackers. I'm so socially awkward with people I don't know, and this cute old lady left me in awe. In a strange way, this stranger's random conversation with me really made my day.

P.S. I'm loving my new job at my old elementary school, Ben Franklin. I'm also loving this whole salary thing.

Snails

I have two experiences with snails. Once upon a time I was 7 or something and in my Grandma Smith's backyard. Amy (the older sister) made me and Natalli collect the innocent, creeping snails from Grandma's garden and crush them with a board. Horrible! But anyone with an older sister will agree that I am not to blame. Anyway, then the Format came out with their second album and their hit "Snails." Every time I heard it I was always brought back to that sad day in Grandma's backyard. When I finally listened to the words, though, it became one of my favorite songs. Recent decisions have made me appreciate its message:

Nico, take it slow,
Show me that you care, cause love's just not a flare on my sleeve.

Sleep well;
I pray that cardboard boxes set the perfect stage,
'Cause woodgrain makes all man-made things seem so out of date;
Life is not a play,
It's what we make of the people we love.

Snails see the benefits, the beauty in every inch...