At the last moment, Keith and I managed to slip away to the Emerald Coast for a few days to rest, reflect, and recharge. We basked in the golden liquid sunshine, swam in the salty ocean, and grounded our feet deep in the warm sugar-sandy beach. We read, talked, planned, and ferreted out the absolute best seafood the coast had to offer.
On the way home, we passed the quaintest farmer’s market stand on the roadside tucked between the scattered pines. Because of my passion for the agricultural scene and my subsequent desire to support local farmers in their noble quest to produce high-quality food for humanity, its charm drew me in like a magnet. As it turned out, the woman manning the stand explained that the stand was the brainchild of her son and daughter-in-law, both local farmers.
With homegrown tomatoes and fresh fruit tucked under our arms, we continued our homeward journey, richer for having connected with and heard the story of a fellow traveler.
This simple encounter reminded me afresh that people matter. Their stories matter. That it’s equally important to both listen and to be heard in this life. That in some mysterious way it heals us, inspires us, and connects us to one another in the most extraordinary, ordinary, but life-giving ways. So, craft your narratives, tell your stories, and share them with the world. We’ll all be the better for it.
