The Old Man's Blessing

I ran out of money on my pre-paid laundry card today. So I went to fill it up. The machine to re-load your laundry card is on the opposite end of the apartment complex from my building. It's a nice day, and I was walking along when I crossed paths with an old Jewish man.

The neighborhood I live in has numerous Chabads, so seeing an Orthodox Jew on the way to Chabad on a Saturday morning is nothing unusual. When I have to run errands on Saturdays, I pass family after family on their way to worship. He looked about the way you would expect, with a suit and hat and a long gray beard. The fringes of his tallit hung down at his waist.

As we were passing each other on the sidewalk, he said "God bless you, and all of your family, from our hearts to yours."

I don't know if he clocked me as trans, and that's why he said it. I don't know if he gives this greeting to everyone he passes on the sidewalk during Shabbat, or if I was special somehow. I don't even worship the same god as he does. But after someone gives you a blessing like that, it's hard not to feel a bit lighter and happier.

I thanked him and we went our separate ways, but I'm still happy. These are the little encounters that seem like nothing, cost nothing, but can mean everything. Thank you, elder, for your blessing. In times like these, it means the world.