The Note

I was excited to get my manicure/pedicure. It had been a while since my last one and I looked forward to the foot massage and to listening to one of my required readings for school, Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book Wishes Fulfilled.

I got comfortable in my seat and requested a paper and pen in case I wanted to jot down thoughts that came to mind while listening to the book. I pushed the play button on my phone and closed my eyes to really focus on what was being said. Every once in a while, one of the ladies would tap my leg and I would open my eyes to see what she needed me to do. The first time I looked up and put my foot in the water, I had eye contact with a woman facing me in another chair. We locked eyes for a moment. There was no courtesy smile when we locked eyes, just a look, then her head went right back down to her iPad. I sensed sadness from her in that brief moment. The next “accidental” eye lock, I sensed a very deep heaviness from her. I closed my eyes and tried to focus back on Dr. Dyer’s words.

I got the final leg tap from the manicurist and I knew my appointment was over. I paused my book, got my things together, and since I had a few extra minutes, I decided to allow time for my nails to dry. When I was ready to go, I noticed that I had not taken one note on my piece of paper. 

Then, a thought came clearly to my mind… “Write that woman a note and leave it with her when you walk out.” I almost rolled my eyes at the thought as my heart started to pick up pace. No way I am leaving a note to that lady that has been giving me unwelcoming looks! She had a lot going on and I was not about to put myself in the middle of it. “Write her a note” came clearly back into my mind.  

At this point in my life I am learning that nothing is out of the blue or random. I did have a piece of paper that I hadn’t used… so, I picked up my pen and wrote, “You are beautiful. I hope you have a great day.” I put the cap on the pen and placed it in my purse. I looked at the lady and she was focused on her iPad. My heart started pounding as I took a deep breath and stood up. I felt like I was about to speak to a crowd. I walked right up to her and set the note down on the flat part of where you lay your arm down to do your nails. I did not want to watch her read it and wait for a reaction, so when I saw her begin reading the note, I quickly walked out of door. I may have run to my car, I’m not sure. I felt as if I was running out of Denny’s after a dine-n-ditch. I watched the door as I pulled out, wondering if she was going to come out and ask why I did that.  She didn’t.  I drove away.

As much as I wanted to flee, part of me wishes I could have found out what was going on with her, or what her thoughts were about what happened. But that was not how it was supposed to go down that day. Maybe she just needed an anonymous note letting her know everything was going to be okay.  

I always say, if you think something nice about someone, tell him or her, especially a stranger. But I have never said write a stranger a note when you feel something heavy is going on with them, which they have not shared with you, let alone ever spoken to you at all. 

Why had I requested the paper that day? Was it for what my reasoning brain said it was for- to  possibly take notes while I listened to a book on tape? Or was it something more than my human brain was aware of and I really got that piece paper because that stranger needed that note? I do not know the answer to that, but I’m glad I listened to the voice in my head, even though it felt a bit uncanny.