Taking time...

to appreciate someone who did their job & did it well, I sent the following email last week...

Good morning,

I had the pleasure of meeting one of your fine employees downtown last
night. The gentleman's name was Robert Hancock. A friend & I were trying
to help a foreign woman, visiting Raleigh, find an available bus. When one
couldn't be found, we called her a cab. Mr. Hancock was very helpful in
waiting in the rain with us till the cab arrived, talking to the cab driver,
making sure that the woman was safely in the cab and confirming the driver
knew her destination (he had him get his map out and everything).

Being a Raleigh resident, I was very pleased to know there are people
downtown who can provide this kind of assistance. It spoke very well for
our city that he was such a help to an out-of-towner - especially given the
inclement weather last night! Mr. Hancock should be commended for a job
well done. He made a wonderful impression and truly embodied above & beyond
what an ambassador should be.

Thank you for your time - have a great day!

In response to that, I received this:

Hello Traci,

Thank you for taking the time to write about Ambassador Robert Hancock. I
know Robert really takes pride in what he does and it is really important
for him to represent the Downtown Ambassadors in a professional manner.

The Downtown Ambassadors do everything possible to make downtown safe,
secure and hospitable for all visitors, workers and residents. I will make
sure Robert is acknowledged for his work. Thank you so much for letting me
know about his actions and all the things the ambassadors mean to downtown.

Sincerely,

Robert

Robert Rutten
Program manager
Downtown Raleigh Ambassadors

Long story short - out to dinner w.Allison, walking down the street to a coffee shop - a woman (probably older than my parents) w.a heavy Australian accent asked if we knew anything about the busline (as a bus was driving away). She was fumbling w.the bus schedule in the pouring rain w.no umbrella. We didn't have any information to offer, but she was so grateful we even stopped to try & help. With the rain beating down on her, I couldn't help but insist she take my umbrella - I could share w.Allison. She laughed & said she had hers in her bag, but just hadn't bothered to take it out.

I won't go into all the other little things that transpired between that initial conversation and me hugging her, w.her tear-filled eyes as she got into a cab about an hour later. It was one of those, "you just had to be there" kinda life moments. But I will say this - standing in the rain (under an awning, thankfully) waiting on that cab - I saw how the face of God can greet you in the strangest places. I'm glad that rain was pouring down, b/c if it hadn't been, I think it would have been easy to casually walk on by. Easy to be dismissive w.a stranger. And even though that is my "good" umbrella (and there was a moment of thinking, "I really don't want to give away my umbrella"), I'm glad God gave me that nudge to be gracious.

What good is anything if you can't share it - that's where good transcends to joy & that is best when shared :)

Oh, and the gentleman I wrote the email about - Robert : ). I can only smile when thinking of him. I think he was extra "special" and that further humbled me - he was gracious, helpful & kind. I never knew standing in the rain w.strangers could be so moving...

I should probably start carrying extra umbrellas & walking in the rain more...never know who I could meet :)