The Iraqi
Today, I had to have my car towed up the road to a mechanic who replaced my starter. FYI, the starter in my car has been giving me problems for the last two weeks and I basically put off replacing it until today. I replaced it because the starter gave out last night and rendered my car useless. Talking about waiting until the last minute! 
So anyways, I’m talking to the tow truck guy and hear an accent. Almost anytime I hear someone with an accent, I ask them questions about their nationality. Well this guy, Vic, was from Iraq! He said it with hesitation; however, after I responded with enthusiasm, he quickly opened up. He told me he had been in the states for 32 years and got out of Iraq at the beginning of Saddam’s reign. He eventually got his dad out too. Unfortunately, a couple of his cousins have died over the last few years.
We talked a bit more and I asked him if he spoke Arabic. Since I’ve been to Egypt, I know a couple words in Arabic so I spoke to him in Arabic, “Thank You.” He was a bit shocked and returned “Thank You” in Arabic.
I enjoyed that interaction more than he did I think. With the exception of taking a beautiful young lady out on a date, that was probably one of the most rewarding hunks of cash I have spent in the last few months. No regrets.
Next time you meet someone, say an encouraging word. You might make their day… or they may make yours!
