On Saturday night, I went to Jubilation’s Dinner Theatre with a friend, expecting a fun evening of music and nostalgia. What I didn’t expect was to meet someone who would quietly shift my perspective in the best possible way.
At dinner theatre, you’re seated beside strangers who quickly become temporary tablemates. That night, beside my friend Janice sat a woman named Lou. From the moment we started chatting, there was something unmistakable about her presence. She radiated warmth — the kind that instantly puts people at ease. There was a gentleness to her, a caring energy that felt familiar. I guessed she had been a nurse. As it turned out, she was a retired nurse, which somehow made perfect sense.
The performance was a Beatles tribute, filled with timeless songs that invited everyone to sing along. But what captivated me most wasn’t the stage — it was Lou. She was pure joy in motion. She sang, clapped, and swayed to the music with wholehearted enthusiasm. When “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” played, she lit up in a way that was contagious. More than once, I caught myself watching her instead of the performers, drawn to the effortless happiness she carried.
As we talked more, I learned that Lou had likely witnessed more tragedy and hardship than most people ever will. Early in her nursing career, she worked with babies. After experiencing her first heartbreaking losses there, she made the difficult decision to transfer out of that unit. I can’t begin to imagine the grief she has carried or the many moments of sorrow she must have witnessed over years of dedicated service. And yet, standing beside her that night was a woman overflowing with light.
For a spirit to endure so much and still remain open, joyful, and generous speaks to a depth that is hard to put into words. Her resilience wasn’t hardened or closed off; it was soft, welcoming, and alive. It was as if every hardship she had faced had deepened her capacity for joy rather than diminished it.
There was something powerful about witnessing that kind of unfiltered happiness. In a world that often feels heavy and complicated, Lou was a reminder of how transformative a joyful spirit can be. She embodied the simple act of being fully present and delighting in the moment. It wasn’t loud or attention-seeking. It was authentic, generous happiness shared freely with everyone around her.
Since that evening, I’ve found myself thinking of her at unexpected times. Whenever my thoughts start drifting in a less-than-positive direction, I gently interrupt them with a quiet reminder: be a little more like Lou. Choose lightness. Choose warmth. Choose joy.
We never know the impact a brief encounter might have. A few hours at a shared table turned into a lasting impression. A small but meaningful lesson in how one person’s spirit can ripple outward. Lou may never fully realize how much her presence mattered that night, but it did.
And to Lou, if these words ever find their way to you: thank you. Your resilience and your joy were a gift. You are an inspiration, and the light you carry reaches farther than you know.
#JoyInEverydayMoments #ResilientSpirit #HumanConnection #FindingLight #InspiredByStrangers #ChooseJoy
