Today I met a stranger while shopping in the grocery store. I was pushing my carb-laced cart full of nothing I planned on eating with my mind on anything and everything and nothing at all. I didn’t even see him at first, but then he spoke to me. “I’ll bet you have a pretty smile.” I turned to see an average sized man wrinkled with time wearing a red hat and big smile.  I smiled back and politely went back to my shopping for, you guessed more carbs - I was eyeing 20 feet of loafed bread. {Sidebar - I’m really taking a beating at home for not buying carbs because I’m not eating them; so I made real effort to buy extra carbs...bread, wraps, cookies...} I really thought I wanted to shop for things I won't eat but he wouldn’t let me. He started telling me about his day. His voice was soft. He’d just come back church where they were practicing Christmas Carols, then he walked his neighbor’s dog; all before deciding he had time to knock out his weekly grocery shopping. I was immediately impressed with his energy. Then he told me about how much he missed his wife this time of year. They were together for 59 years. She’s been gone for three years next month. He missed how she always kept him in line.  She always told him when he got too loud. She would nudge him in the side of his ribs with her elbow. He really misses that nudge.  When he talked, I listened. The more he said, the sadder I became. Sad for his pain. Sad for his broken heart. He smiled when he talked about her. He looked up and then back at me and said, “She’s not in pain anymore.” My eyes were welling up as I listened. I was sure I was going to have that awkward moment of bawling in the grocery store.  He touched my shoulder and said, “There is a lot to be thankful for.” I wished him a Happy Thanksgiving, thanked him for talking to me and started pushing my cart of carbohydrates to the check out, blinking away tears. I really think that you meet people for a reason. This week my head has been spinning with balancing work and home, battling the last 25 pounds of baby weight and trying to be super Mom and super Awesome wife with limited sleep.  All the while, everything I’ve ever wanted and always dreamed about is right in front of me. I have healthy children, a wonderful Mother and I’m spending my happily ever after with a man who is my super hot best friend. Life is good. There is a lot to be thankful for this year and everyday. Slow down and enjoy it.

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Daphne Ellenburg is a budding photography business owner in Southern Alabama with a supportive family and a new fancy-pants in home studio. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and newly all things Canon. Daphne also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Catch up with her at Ellenburg Photography {Website} {Facebook} {EP Blog}{Daphne's Blog}{Join EP Project 52}

Ellenburg Photography's award winning photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, specializes in Wedding Photography and Family Portraiture. We are located just north of Mobile Alabama. We proudly serve all of Alabama, and Gulfcoast Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. (251) 656-7601