Celebrate Differences

I spend 6 hours at the Apple store in the mall one day. The first hour isn't too bad because I have a One to One session before the store opens. However, I also have a Genius Bar appointment to deal with some problems I'm having with my computer. The store gets crazy-busy as soon as it's officially open for business. The decibel level of people talking around and above each other is deafening. I'm uncomfortable with so much noise and turmoil. However, I sit quietly on one of the high black stools awaiting my turn. I breathe and try to relax. I start watching the "geniuses" who are dealing with other customers. One is a young girl with spiky hair, long shaggy bangs dyed neon pink, bright red lipstick, purple glasses with square frames, and a glinting silver hoop in the right corner of her bottom lip. I see how she listens intently to the older woman she's helping. I see her smile encouragingly. I note that she's completely engaged in what she's doing and totally unselfconscious. I begin to think she's lovely - an exotic specimen from another planet. I am intensely pleased when finally she finishes with the other customer and calls my name, beckoning me toward her. Then a wondrous thing: She introduces herself and her name is the same as my grown daughter who was once (and possible still is in her heart) a rebel child. I am immediately in love with this geekily-odd young woman and feel an intimate connection with her - I believe I'm in good hands. She is meticulous and organized in handling my problem. She takes my computer into the inner bowels of the store where in a few hours it is miraculously restored (free of charge) to working order. When I come back to retrieve the computer, I thank her profusely. She gives me a vivid smile, her piercing sparkling in the overhead light.

I think to myself: "Vive la difference!"

Please let me remember this encounter the next time I'm not sure I "like" another person's appearance. 

It's who we are inside that counts.