it's good to hear good news

even sometimes the good news has nothing to do with you.

at the drug store today, there was this shop manager kind of guy. he suddenly starts talking to me, "you know i am very emotional today." he tries to wipe off tears from his eyes with his hand, "i got a call. my son just bought his own house... he is my third son, my youngest son. he has been on his own for just three years, got married last year, expecting their baby in may..." my eyes feel wet too. i am happy for him and honored to be chosen as the his listener of the great news. i say, "wow, isn't all that you work and live for?" he continues, "i know, i am so happy, so happy, i am going to go home early today." the last thing he says is the best for me. "i have another daughter, she is like you, she is 22. still going to university." ?!?!?! so i walked away feeling great wondering how i could have managed to give an impression of being a 22 year old, i mean, without much of an effort.