Last week I was lucky enough to witness one of the greatest moments in human history. As I was shuffling zombie-like onto the parking garage elevator that takes me down to beautiful 1300 Post Oak each wonderful work day, a couple of other stagglers followed suit, shortly behind. I found myself in a rather routine situation--elevator of 4 people, no one talking or saying so much as hi. As we waited for the door to close, a woman could be seen making her way toward the elevator. Though far enough away that she didn't really deserve an elevator hold, it was a close call. Being the good Christian, I looked down as not to make eye contact (once you make eye contact, you are morally obligated to hold the elevator and if you don't, it could be bad news later on down the karma highway) and no one else in the elevator appeared to be stepping up--not the well dressed business woman, not the portly security guard with too much perfume, and certainly not the burly maintenance guy.
The doors were almost closed as the woman came within feet of the elevator with a face that pleaded solemnly for mercy. Too late, I thought. You'll have to catch the next one down.
And then, as if summoning Pele' or Lou Groza, from the back of the elevator came the swiftest, most spectacular one legged high kick from a squatty, gray-haired maintenance guy the world has ever seen. His foot wedged right in between the two doors! It was just in time--like Indiana Jones. Suddenly the doors were opening and the delighted woman was on board. The squatty maintenance hero was shrugging it off as if it was nothing. I couldn't restrain myself. I looked into his eyes as if I were face to face with Kirk Gibson after the Eckersly homerun and blurted out this beauty: "THAT WAS AWESOME".
Squatty hero just giggled some unintelligable noises. A few seconds went by and then the others in the elevator started laughing--more out of amazement than anything. I wanted to see an instant replay.
As we filed off the elevator I heard the hero mention to his young and burly counterpart, "well, at least some people are actually smiling today".
He is a maintenance guy working in a building full of "business" men and women. The smiles are probably rare to come his way.
I looked down so I didn't have to feel guilty about not holding the elevator for one more person. He gladly jumped in to help someone who probably would not have done the same for him.
The moral of the story: You can learn great biblical truths from squatty old maintenance men.
2 comments:
Almost as intriguing to me as the kick itself is your reaction... both events together surely made for an entertaining elevator ride.
This post was worth the wait... now keep it up.
Bloger eh? Well, just as guilty to be reading one. In my defense it's only because you told me it was here though :) Nice to hear from you that and that you sound so d&*n well!!! Cheers!
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