Let me share with you a story about an unnamed person who entered my life suddenly, flooding my heart with joy and kindness in our brief moments of soul to soul connection.

Strolling is one of the little pleasures I enjoy, and my dog shares it with me. When the beach—our favorite place—is not an option, we wander the neighborhood instead. You’d be amazed at how many people you can meet and talk to when you walk. Some became friends, others remain acquaintances I like and enjoy chatting with, whenever we cross paths. I know most of their names, except for this older man, an extraordinary person who warmed my heart with his genuine smile and uplifting energy when he showed up in my life one day.

I can’t recall the first time I saw him, maybe a couple of years ago. My husband and I were ambling down a nearby street, with our dog, Tara, when this older Asian gentleman paused his plant watering in his front yard to wave enthusiastically with both hands, beaming with a big, pure smile, as if he had known us forever. I returned his cheerful greeting with a “good morning” or something in English he didn’t seem to understand, along with a hand wave. From that day on, we communicated with warm gestures and simple words he repeated back, like “hi,” “good morning,” “good evening,” or “beautiful day!,” always accompanied by thumbs up, arms waving, fingers pointing at the gorgeous sky, or something of the kind. 

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. A few seasons went by and, without any spoken language, we would express how hot or cold the day was and the joy of seeing each other, always in his driveway as I passed by in my car or walking across the street.

When school started, I used to leave home around 7:30 a.m. every day, and there he was with his bucket of water to take care of the plants in the front yard. He greeted every car that passed by whether people noticed him or not. They didn’t even slow down. As for me, seeing him always brought instant joy to my heart. I used to lower the window, stop my car for a moment, and say good morning, matching his wide smile. He, dropping all tasks, waved effusively at me when he noticed my car approaching, crinkling his cheerful eyes. 

Every morning that I saw “Happy Man” on my way to school, I felt everything would be fine and I got a boost of energy that lasted hours. When he wasn’t there, for whatever reason, I felt a pang of disappointment and I missed his genuine smile, as we shared this beautiful friendship based on an invisible, yet strong, heart connection. 

Then one day, he wasn’t there anymore.  Days went by, and my Happy Man was gone. Was he sick? Had he only been here temporarily?  I missed him terribly, wondering if he was all right. I didn’t know his name and I never took a picture with him, but I didn’t want to forget that face, that smile, that pure joy.

My husband knocked on his door a few days ago to inquire about him, to tell them how much I missed that person, and to check if he was all right. His son, or maybe grandson, opened the door and explained that my “Happy Man” had been visiting from China and that he had returned home. They didn’t give him a name, and we don’t know whether he’ll be back or not, but I know I’ll never forget that deep connection I made with someone that most people would consider a stranger. There are individuals who spread only joy in their path, leaving imprints, however briefly the encounter with others. 

I can’t help smiling every time I pass by that house, hoping someday I’ll see him again, get his name, and maybe share a hug. Until then, he’ll always be my “Happy Man.”

—Silvi Martín