Will You Ever Meet A Robert Whitely?

Today I had one most remarkable encounter with a quality gentleman that made me take pause about the age old question; “What is the meaning of life?”

While sitting on a bench an hour before a movie an elderly man shaking with Parkinson’s on his cane and staring well off into the distance, sat next to me. He asked if he could share a bench with my wife and me, “certainly” I said. I asked him where he was from given his strange accent, “born and raised right here in Lancaster Pennsylvania" he said. After I pressed as to where he got the accent he remarked “Well I just moved back from the Phillippines five years ago to be back with family. My children insisted it was time to finally come home and reconnect with my grandchildren, I'm glad I did."

I learned Robert (Name changed to protect his identity) had lived all over the world most his life, he shared with me he was a writer of agricultural science trade journals.  Robert helped third world countries develop potato crops in Africa, India, Peru, and most continents on our planet. He also told me he started writing for the “Stars and Stripes” Magazine when he was in the army in the Korean War.

The better part of an hour passed and my jaw was on the floor, what an incredible life Robert has lived. Our conversation shifted to “what was it like for an American from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to live and work in some of the highest risk political countries of the world?” Robert proceeded to share with me he never had a bad situation even living between the India/Pakistan borders at the height of the Muslim/Hindu troubles. “After all” Robert said, “People smile the same in all languages and cultures!” 

We talked about “the concept of  face” and “host behaviors “by most cultures. Robert concluded it all comes down to mutual respect for other people, and a good understanding of "manners" in any country. Some have them; others never understand what they don’t have and never will. Wow! I’m still trying to absorb all the wisdom and worldly perspective received today from Robert.

My wife and I said goodbye and as we turned around we saw Robert go back into his blank stare with many people passing by never looking or appreciating the American treasure right under their noses………… I will never forget today as I am a better human being for this chance encounter with Robert.  I can't even remember much about the movie which was second fiddle to meeting Robert!

Maybe there is a Robert Whitely somewhere in your corner of the world................look for the blank stare and reach out to them, you may be better for it also!