The Appendage Salutation

I first moved to a rural part of southern Georgia seven years ago. It wasn’t that far of a stretch from growing up in Panama City as a child, but it’s still unique. One thing I noticed immediately, as is the rule on all country roads and in rural communities, is that you wave when you drive by someone. Sorry, you wave when you drive by everyone. Unlike sporty boating advertisements that boast this same moray, many of us aren’t tooling around on expensive watercrafts. But in the rural south – on foot, bicycle, all-terrain-vehicle, or car –you wave.

When I first settled here, missing the initial dozen or so waves, I was caught up with the excitement. I’d see a car four miles down the road and begin to prepare myself for “the wave.” Hands must be positioned just so, this isn’t a parade. A slight raise of three fingers from the top of the steering wheel; perhaps a formidable nod coupled with the hand not steering. It’s a gesture, something that comes natural, “hi, how are you?” There is no gender or age bias here. Even speed-racing teens slightly brake for the wave. It’s the appendage salutation.

But then, about a month after living here, having mastered “the wave,” I discovered something new. On a less travel road from here to Tallahassee, I encountered Mr. Waver. There is an old black man, who sits in front of his house from morning till night who waves at every passerby. Everyone. This isn’t a neighborhood, this is a 55 mph highway where he sits in a reclining lawn chair to recognize and wish well everyone zooming by to their destination. There is usually a gaggle of family nearby, kids, adults, neighbors, depending on the time of day. I do not know his name. I’ve never stopped to ask. But every day, since I discovered this route, I prepare for the return wave. If it’s a particularly good day the wave might say “we finally got some rain!” or “can you believe this warm day in January?” No words are shared, but the sentiment is there.
Back in the big city of Tallahassee, all of this makes me think about those I pass at work or on the street. Am I quick to nod, wave or acknowledge they are there? Do I notice them at all? I want to believe most days I do. Because I know they need it, like me, to be noticed and appreciated. Even if it is only for being at the right place, at the right time.

But, I know many days I’m not noticing them or even those that I should. It’s a sad truth how consumed we are. Not because of all the rotten things we hear about us as Americans, or people, or as sinners, or as teenagers, or the poor, or the rich or whatever category we fall into. I believe a big part of it is because we don’t stop. Ever. What is a moment in time? Just that. No qualifiers, just a moment. But it can be more.

So here’s to you Mr. Waver, I put my coffee cup down and I’m ready for your great “good morning” to start my day. Here’s hoping I don’t stop with just you.