I know commercials target you. They’re trying to get you to buy something.
But one organization has done a good job of not targeting, but depicting, me in their marketing. I recognize myself in the ‘Don’t Become Your Parents’ commercials from an insurance company. I’m the ‘parent’ who occasionally strikes up conversations with strangers. At the grocery store, at the ball field, at the gas station. I do know when not to talk and exercise that frequently as well. But I have met some lovely folks by making an offhand comment about a situation.
One of my favorites was early one morning at a gas station in western Nebraska. I went inside the convenience store while my husband pumped gas. While I was trying to talk myself out of delicious looking pastries, a woman of similar age came up and told me to go for it. We eventually both succumbed to the sweets, but while debating their merits, we had an enjoyable conversation. She was road tripping with her elderly father several hundred miles to Colorado to meet a new grand/great-grandchild. Having somewhat recently lost my father, I thought that was a beautiful thing indeed and told her so, encouragement she appreciated as others in her family had questioned the trip. I think we ended up hugging before we stepped outside to discover my husband and her dad had also struck up a conversation. With best wishes, we headed off in our opposite directions. I sincerely hope their trip went well.
I smile when I see the mocking depiction in the insurance commercial. I also smile to think that occasionally, I might be able to give an encouraging word to a stranger, one that might need it that day.
