I don’t like running errands. Stopping here and there, getting in and out of my car, and standing in lines on a Saturday morning don’t bring much joy to my life. I especially don’t like going to the dry cleaner, because I feel bad about myself when I go there. It always reminds me that I could be saving a little money by ironing my husband’s shirts at home. Unfortunately, I dislike ironing even more than I dislike running errands. So, about a year ago, when the dry cleaner that was conveniently located on my way to work went out of business, I was annoyed that I had to go find a dry cleaner somewhere else. After putting very little effort into finding another store, I noticed the word “CLEANER” tucked between two other chain retailers at the strip mall next to my bank. I decided to try it, since I could at least deal with two errands in one stop if they ended up doing a good job.

This was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

While the immigrant-family that owns and operates this no-name cleaning service has been attentive and efficient in running their business, they provide something even better than good customer service. Over the last year, they have left a pin in a pair of my husband’s pants and lost a favorite wool blanket for over a week. Neither of those things have stopped me from returning to their store. I don’t go back just because they found the blanket and gave it back with no charge for my inconvenience. I don’t go back just because they apologized profusely for nearly maiming my husband’s private parts. I go back because when I walk in the door, whoever is at the counter stops what they are doing and smiles at me as if I am a long-lost relative. The welcome I have always received when I walk through the doors of that business has lifted my spirits every single time. Whether I’m in a bad mood or a good mood when I arrive, I am in a better mood when I leave.

I’m not writing this today to advertise for this business. In fact, I’m not even going to mention where they are located. I’m writing this today because last Saturday morning, as I entered the store, an older gentleman was leaving with his cleaning and a big, broad smile on his face. He made eye contact with me as he held the door open and said, with gusto, “Have a nice day, young lady!” Then, as I left, a young father was entering with two little ones in tow, a bulky laundry bag in hand and a huge smile on his face, while offering a booming greeting to the young man behind the counter, “Hey buddy, how’s it going?”

My heart leapt as I took one last look at the smiles and left the store. I seriously felt like skipping to my car. The interaction with my fellows that morning, while running those detestable errands, was simply joyful.

As I drove home, I wondered what life would be like if we all just smiled more. I think it would be a lot like how I feel when I leave that dry cleaner – better.