I forget how good I’ve got it at times. We started vacationing in Williamsburg, Va. about a dozen years ago. Been there so many times, I’m not sure the kids need a map anymore. It’s been a great spot to visit. Besides the colonial stuff, there’s lots of places to visit for day trips, like Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Okay, commercial is over.
The other day I was in a store, looking for a box of Christmas (not holiday) cards. One of the workers told me there were more on the next aisle, which there were, but not what I was looking for. I’ve seen the guy before. He looks like Jed Clampett, honest he does, with the stubble and everything. Nothing he does is in a hurry. I’ve seen him there before, running a register and was amazed that they allowed him to do that, given the lack of urgency in his actions.
Anyhow, he started talking about some of the merchandise in the aisle where we were standing. Nothing I said guided the conversation anywhere other than where he was going. He pointed to the UNC and Duke shot glasses and Christmas ornaments. Then he told me about going to Williamsburg. Said if I ever went there–Jamestown’s there, you know–you can get the same t-shirts at Wal-Mart for much less. Don’t buy the ones at the souvenir shop. He talked on about Williamsburg for awhile. I didn’t tell him I was quite familiar with the place. I just let him tell me all about it.
As blase as the place has become to me, it clearly left a big impression on the guy. Maybe it’s the only vacation he’s been on in 20 years? Maybe ever? I don’t know. Listening to him, I thought of how much we have enjoyed vacationing there. And how fortunate we have been to be able to afford it. I thanked him for his assistance and wished him a very merry Christmas. I hope he gets to go somewhere just as exciting next summer.
