Getting to Know You

“Getting to Know You” is one of my favorite songs and one of the first songs that introduced me to the world of musicals. I remember as a kid that I would stay up late at night and watch the Turner Classic Movies (TCM). I loved watching movies like Oklahoma, the King and I, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. When I earned my first paycheck, I spent it on a pair of snakeskin boots and tickets for my family to go see Fiddler on the Roof with Topol. I guess you can say, music has always been in my heart.

I share with both my civilian co-workers and military soldiers that whether they realize it or not, they have probably played a part in a musical in my head at one time or another. When my mind wanders, it’s usually a musical…who knew?!?!

Today, this song kept popping in my head through multiple encounters today. I had a medical procedure this morning and I walked in to my doctor playing Ozzy Osborne. We had a great chat about his young adulthood when he went to Ozzfest in Charlotte and saw him in person. A tribute and honor to Ozzy the artist resulted in me relaxing and seeing him as a person and not a removed doctor.

Later today, someone from work reached out and wanted to send my soon to be granddaughter the children’s books that she wrote from the perspective of her two pups. I had no idea she was a dog mom or a writer. This song popped in my head again…”getting to know all about you.”

I recalled a time that mine and Rob’s worlds collided when we went to lunch with two individuals that had worked together for over 20 years. One deployed with us as our Deputy Brigade Commander, and the other went on a scuba trip with us to Galapagos. These two worked side by side, not just in the same company, but same department. As we chatted, Rob and I knew more about each of them than they knew of each other and we sat around the table laughing at that realization.

I’m that person, I am going to take the time to get to know you, to ask about your family, to hear about your dreams. Life is short and every encounter matters and you never know when your paths will cross again.

Today ended with a meal delivery for a coworker and her mom…why? It happened because I asked how she was, I found out that her mom broke her ankle and needed surgery today. It happened because I have taken the time to get to know her, and I felt comfortable bringing her and her family food. Today our families connected as Rob made the food, Helena helped with delivery, and we played with her pup Luna.

Today, this verse resonated with me along with one of my favorite songs…”Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2). I have learned this in life and in all those moments of getting to know each other, rich and poor is defined by man alone, God is our equalizer. We are all His children and we should take the time to get to know each other and find that common ground. We should not be intimidated by titles, social class or perceived differences in our lives. In one of my previous posts, I shared the Bojangles story of the homeless man that I gave a few dollars. My favorite part of that story? In that short encounter, I feel like he got to know me a little, and me him. Not only do we have common ground as God’s children, we both love a spicy biscuit!

Today, I pray that you take the time to get to know someone you may have simply walked by in the past. Have a conversation, share some stories, share some laughs.

Final note- Go read about the adventures of Sadie and Otis and maybe grab one or two for a child of a friend that you have gotten to know!