11:15 AM, Thursday, I departed the bus at Sinclair Community College to watch a former student portray Charlie Brown in A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at the noon hour.

As I approached Building 7 to head to the cafeteria below, I saw a woman just ahead, dancing all around under a tree, elevated over something I could not yet see. Once I was closer, I saw she had arranged a grouping of leaves. Thinking it was more of a ritual, I kept my eyes focused on the event.

She looked up and she excitedly asked, “do you work with cameras?”

Ironically, I didn’t even have my Sony camera with me.

“I love photography.”

“Oh! If you’ve got a minute, please come see this! I’m so excited and there’s no one to share it with.”

I entered the tiny grove and re-examined the leaf arrangement.

“I was arranging this pile of leaves for my art class… (she was slightly overcome) and… and… look – right here!” She stopped down to point to a small snail that had crawled upon the leaf in the center of her design. “Isn’t this magnificent?”

I reveled in the moment, too. I know just how exciting a moment such as hers can be.

I asked permission to take a photo and she was surprised as she thrillingly gave me permission.

“You see, this is your arrangement. Your moment. It’s only right that I beg your permission.”

“Of course!”

I took my photo.

She pulled up her mask and asked if she might give me a hug.

Absolute joy. Two strangers caught within a moment of art, tangled in the beauty and surprise of nature, celebrating unexpected joy in a moment.

We hugged.

I bid her a good day. She blew me a kiss and wished me a merry Christmas.

After a few steps, I turned to look over my shoulder to see her kneeling, her camera poised to capture her lovely moment.

Well, I don’t know about you but that made it a great day for me!