To Sir with Love
This is a photo I took through the back window of our rental car in Cabo a few years ago. We were just picking up our vehicle to begin our little Baja adventure. The guy with the Italian hand language was a time-share dude trying to convince John we should come sit for a presentation at a nearby resort while we’re in town. His big hands and voice said, “Why wouldn’t you?!” Whenever I hear John in this type of situation, I hear him say with a knowing smile, “I understand, I’m in sales, too.” Those six words always show up in this convo he’ll kindly indulge at least for a few minutes. Not me, I’m like, talk to the hand, man.
Sometimes John works at home and I overhear sales calls. Those aren’t my favorite. Not because they’re bad. They’re never bad. They’re just kind of booming, but in a productive, yet respectful way, a let’s-get-things-done way. All good. But still, not my fave. (Okay, they annoy me so I go upstairs and close the door.)
My favorite is happening right this minute as I hear him talking to the construction workers in our backyard while they’re re-doing our hardscape and broken-down swimming pool, making it all fresh and new. I love the tone of his voice.
The salesy boom is gone. This timbre is similar but it’s a slightly different spin, another flavor. It’s an even warmer tonality, deeply respectful and yep, loving. I heard him ask them if they liked the pizza he’d ordered, if it was good, and I heard them chime in, Yes, thank you, it was delicious. Then I heard him chat with them about technical things regarding the yard. All still oozing warmth, admiration, appreciation. Both directions.
Love.
This is the tone I’ve overheard from him for three + decades. Just me, eavesdropping on conversations which I relish, making me love him more. Why wouldn’t I? Just random, normal, casual conversations with virtual strangers—servers in restaurants, diners at a nearby table, fellow surfers anticipating a wave. Sometimes with Francisco, our gardener, who calls John, “Mr. John.” He calls Francisco, “Sir.” With love.