For the last year or so, I’ve been drawn to a particularly delightful soul, Willie, a very hard-working sacker at my neighborhood grocery store who’s probably in his late 40s. No matter how others treat him or ignore him, no matter how merciless the heat or rain or cold, he always has a broad smile on his face and kind words to share. Every encounter with him, even the momentary ones, are enough to fill one’s heart with joy.

Right after Erik’s death, he seemed ubiquitous in my life, particularly in those darkest moments when I was toying with death myself. Yesterday, he helped me carry my groceries to the car and, as always, he was cheerful, loving and attentive. It’s hard to describe his manner. You’d just have to meet him. As I was driving off, I considered the fact that Willie probably had no idea what a powerful effect he had on others. Should I stop and tell him? Nah, he was busy rounding up empty carts in the parking lot, and there was a car behind me waiting for my spot. Just before I exited the lot, I reconsidered, parked the car, and walked over to him. He looked a little poleaxed probably combing his mind for things he might have forgotten to do or something he may have loaded into the car improperly.

I said, “Willie, I want you to know what a difference you have made in my life. When my son, Erik, committed suicide, I was in a very dark place for months, but you, with your kind words and smile, were one of the factors that gave me hope that life was worth living. With that, he and I both began to sob and hug one another. The moment was so profound that I felt our two souls were intertwined in both happiness and grief.

I can only imagine the thoughts running through the minds of shoppers in the lot, but I hope they were thoughts of connection and love as were Willie’s and mine. He is truly a spiritual catalyst. We all have the power to be catalysts too if we take the time and muster the courage to reach out.