Many many moons ago, when I worked at a liquor store in Woburn, this guy came in who I had never seen before, and haven’t seen since. 

This was unusual, because most of my customers were regulars, and I knew them all on a first name basis. But that fact is not terribly important. 

But this guy was buying a lottery ticket. And probably alcohol, but I only remember the lottery ticket. And as I was punching his numbers into the machine, he told me if he won he’d give me part of it. 

Lots of people, usually men, had said this to me in the past. I had never had the opportunity to collect. 

But I laughed, like I always did. 

But then this guy gets real personal, and he says, “wanna hear a story”. 

And it’s almost closing, the store is empty, I’m bored, so I say “sure”. 

And what he tells me is this:

When I was 18 years old I broke spine riding a motorcycle. I was in the hospital for six months, and they told me I was never going to walk again. But I’m walking now. 

This story amazes me. I think it’s one of the most beautiful things a stranger has ever said to me. 

But he continues. 

When I was 21 I started playing the Mega Millions every week. I played the same numbers every week for over a year. And then one day, I didn’t feel like going down to the store. I didn’t play my numbers. And that was the week that they won. 

This is the most depressing thing I have ever heard. I suddenly feel the urge to give this complete stranger a hug. 

But again, he continues. 

And every single day, I think about how lucky I am to be walking around.  I don’t give a damn that I didn’t play my numbers that week. All I care about is that I can walk. 

This conversation like, restored my faith in humanity. I think about it every time something in my life goes terribly wrong. 

I’m glad that there is someone out there who can be so appreciative. 

I think it’s so unbelievable beautiful. 

And just in case you were wondering, it’s 100% true. 

Even I couldn’t make this shit up.