What if the only thing keeping us from connecting…is the first word we never say?
I was walking in Blacklick Woods on Saturday morning like I do most Saturdays when I don’t have much to do.
The trail was quiet except for the crunch of gravel under my feet and the distant chatter of birds who seemed to be having a better conversation than most people these days.
Up ahead, I saw an older lady walking toward me. As she drew near, I did what I always do: I smiled, looked her in the eye, and said, “Good morning!” in my usual cheerful tone.
Normally, in Blacklick Woods, that’s all it takes. A smile back, a “Good morning” in return, and both of us keep it moving. But not this time.
She stopped. Looked at me. And said, “Do I know you?”
I laughed a little and said, “I don’t think so.”
Then she asked, “I was just curious as to… why you spoke to me?”
I replied, “Well, you were another human being passing by me, so I spoke. It’s the way I was raised.”
She said, “Oh, okay,” and went on her way.
After I made sure she wasn’t stalking me because, old lady or not, you never know these days I started thinking about what she asked me.
Why did I speak to her? What made her question it? And that’s when it hit me…
Have we really gone so far down that we can’t speak unless we know each other?
Have we reached a point where kindness is suspicious? Where acknowledging someone’s existence feels strange?
When did “Good morning” become an intrusion instead of an invitation?
When did a simple smile become an act of bravery?
We are living in a world with more ways to connect than ever before phones in our hands, voices in our ears, messages in our pockets and yet, we pass by living, breathing souls without a word.
Humanity isn’t just in grand gestures. It’s not only in volunteering, or donations, or heroic acts.
It’s in the small things, a greeting on a walking trail, a nod to a stranger, an anonymous card in the mail, a smile that says, “I see you.”
So, the next time you’re out there whether you’re walking in Blacklick Woods or just standing in line at the grocery store don’t wait until you “know” someone to speak to them. Because here’s the truth: You do know them. They’re human. Just like you and me. And maybe, just maybe, a “Good morning” could be a bridge in the woods or the seed of a little more humanity in this world.