As the friendly teller at the drive in window made eye contact and thanked me for being a customer of SunTrust, I told her that she had what we used to call ‘the spirit.’  After hearing this, she smiled and thanked me again. Listening to the radio this morning, I thought about that neat name, the spirit, as I heard some wonderful gospel music on the radio and listened to the DJ talking about how it’s going to be when we get to heaven. I love hearing the numbers I’ve known all my life but also delight in the new ones I hear. I could hear the spirit in his voice as he advised us about veteran’s day fun we’d be listening to via that station.

  While picking up food from Captain D’s I saw that spirit again. The one taking my order made eye contact, smiled and then checked her order before taking it to the chef section. In just a few minutes another kind soul brought out my food, opened each box and displayed the shrimp and fish, making sure my order was correct. He made eye contact and asked me which condiments I’d like and thanked me warmly for my business. Naturally I see that spirit every time I’m in Publix, Food Depot, Walgreens, Chick-fil-A and CVS.  Something must have gotten in the water in Henry County for every single soul to be so cordial and professional! It reminds me of going to Central Feed and Seed, years ago, plus Zack’s, and all the stores on the Square.

  I see it at the library too, and the gentlemen who service my car got the memo on how to treat their clients. As I strolled around the cars on display behind the municipal building in McDonough, I saw many smiles, and that included teens and adults alike. I went on out to Summit recently to see their car show and again noticed many smiling car owners plus the staff as they greeted guests. I stopped and talked to a kind policeman from Hampton and told him about the time an officer of the law had stopped to protect my toddler grandkids from a threatening dog. He had already made eye contact and smiled as I approached him. I can still remember being taught to have a smile on my face as I answered the phone, because the one on the other end can hear that warmth. 

  A kind lady from my doctor’s office called to update me on my latest bloodwork. She too had that spirit and I was impressed with the suggestions she gave me that will help get my numbers back in order.  Okay, no more bacon. Sigh. I’ll just switch over to oatmeal for my morning breakfast. She did tell me NOT to use the ones in the little packets. Well, Doctor Blissit was right when he told me that if it tastes good, I should spit it out. 

  I do cheat, just a little, when Mt. Bethel has one of those wonderful ‘covered dish’ meals. I get a very tiny amount of anything that’s officially not on my meal plan. Everyone at Mt. Bethel seems to have that spirit of caring, loving and wanting to help. I also notice the Henry County Times crew has that same reaching-out personality too.  Come to think of it, my neighbors all fit the bill. I remember my parents having wonderful spirits as they assisted and aided their co-workers, neighbors, church family and volunteered. So … maybe it’s more of a Georgia thing than just in Henry County? Well, I hope it keeps growing, and that soon all of America and the whole world will have ‘the spirit!’