Everybody Has a Story - Take Time to Listen and Find Out

It's always interesting to strike up a conversation with someone and to be amazed at their story. Some of the most unassuming people I have met have turned out to have some incredibly interesting things in their lives. Recently, we were having our beach place painted. The painter and his team arrived and after a short briefing, went to work on the task at hand. As they were working my wife and I struck up a conversation with the painter. Jody was an older man, and we learned that he had been the original painter of many of our neighbors places. He had seen alot of changes over the years. As we talked, his phone rang; but this wasn't your typical ring tone. No, this was the sound of a horse neighing. That's right, a horse. Jody laughed and said that ring tone had gotten him in trouble at a couple of funerals, but everyone eventually had a good laugh over it. Then he mentioned that he and his wife show a Tennessee Walking Horse in competitions all over the country. "Mr. Gamecock" is his name. I then noticed his hat. It had a picture of a horse and the words Mr. Gamecock on it. Of course. Well, it seems Mr.Gamecock is a true champion horse.Jody showed us several pictures and articles about the horse. He, his wife and their son take turns riding him in the shows. Jody beamed with pride as he talked about first buying this horse that no one thought would turn out to be much; and how at some point the light switch came on, and Mr. Gamecock began developing into a champion. He now is one of the best, and is owned by Jody the house painter. Bottom line: don't assume someone doesn't have a great story to tell. You might be amazed!