Thoughts on Gratitude: How The Human Taco Taught Me A Lesson

I happened on upon this gentleman on the corner of Armenia and Kennedy here in our fair city of Tampa. The flip-side of the arrow he's holding says "Best Mexican in Tampa." (And, yes, that is a taco suit he's wearing.) Feeling a snide comment coming on, I quickly snapped a picture. Before I could do that, he flipped the sign over and I was robbed of what I thought was a funny image.

Then, something more profound happened. In the process of my taking the picture, he saw me. As I put the camera down on the passenger seat, he smiled and nodded at me.

Suddenly a whole torrent of thoughts went through my mind: thank the Lord that I'm not standing in the summer heat and humidity dressed as fast food; that I had better be grateful for the good fortune my wife and I have. That, despite the heat and the outfit, this man was happy to be were he was, earning himself a living. And, finally, that--for all I know--this man could be the owner of the restaurant, and he simply decided that, when it came to getting attention and encouraging people to try his Taqueria, no one was better qualified than he.

Shame on me, and thank you sir. You taught me a lesson with just a nod and a smile.