Reach out and touch someone!

On my way to the store to buy what I would need to prepare yesterday's Shabbat dinner, my phone rang. I did not recognize what I knew to be a Maryland phone number by the area code. Since I have a number of customers in that area I answered the call. (I normally ignore numbers I don't know and see if they leave a message).
For some unknown reason this time I chose to answer.
The strong voice on the other end greeted me with unbridled enthusiasm.
"David,is this you?I am so happy to have found your number!"
"I just got the temple bulletin and I am looking at this picture of you and Susan and I am so thrilled for you".
The voice at the other end of the phone was from a long time temple member who had moved away from the area a few years ago.She and her husband are contemporaries of my parents. Their story is one of those remarkable ones that are told from a generation that experienced one of the greatest tragedies the world has ever encountered. Eventually they ended up here in America and built a wonderful life,raised a beautiful family and lived what can only be called the American dream.
The traces of her accent are still strong, as strong as the energy in her voice. We chatted as 2 friends would. She asked about my family, recalling every one's name.She asked about my brother and sister. She inquired if I still lived on Brookfield and if my brother was still on Diaz.
A woman of 90 with a memory sharper than mine.She was genuinely excited to catch up with me, to fill me in on her family. She told me of her husbands health and how dementia has robbed him of who he once was.And just as mater of factly continued on with how well she was doing. 
There was not one iota of woe is me.Not a hint of remorse, regret or yearning for what once was and will never be again. She spoke with conviction about today and tomorrow, barely even mentioning bygone days.She spoke briefly about my parents of blessed memory and then moved on to more important things like "what's new?" "How is every one?" "Are you still working" and she couldn't wait to hear about the new shop.
And just that quickly she said she would let me go.....she was sure I was busy with work and getting ready for Shabbat.
She just wanted to congratulate Susan and myself on being honored the way we are later this month. 
I have no idea when or even if, we will ever speak again. It doesn't matter. What matters is that I will remember her phone call the rest of my life.
A gesture as simple as picking up the phone.
Unbelievable!

Shabbat Shalom!