I was leaving work yesterday after a long day.

Tired. Ready to get to my vehicle and make the interstate commute home. Was already thinking about my playlist for the ride home.

I am a production supervisor in a large manufacturing plant. At one time, I seemed to know everyone there....and know them fairly well. The place has expanded and grown significantly over the years. Lots of new faces.

So, I'm walking down the main aisle with my tired mind lost in my thoughts about my music and a couple phone calls I needed to make to arrange some schedule changes. Waving at and speaking briefly with some folks as I walked on by. Nearing the main plant entrance I hear a horn blow and look back and see a dude riding up on his material handling cart. He's a big guy, too. Appears to be fairly tall, young and really, really heavy. He's taking off his work gloves and extending his hand.

We introduce ourselves and he said he's seen me around the plant and I'd been losing a large amount of weight and he was simply hoping I'd share how with him.

I was straight up with him and gave him a fast rundown of the my sleeve surgery process and how, where, why it unfolded like it did. I was 100% honest with him and broke down the costs and how our insurance was not so great.....covering only 50% of the actual surgery cost, but not the related tests and things that are required. I told him how it was actually significantly cheaper for me to have self funded the deal. Crazy scenario, but true. I urged him to pursue a couple different avenues for finding out further information on how to fund the surgery.

He had very specific questions as to what I could eat, what I could take for meds and what I could drink. He wanted to know what days off were like and what working days felt like.

We talked for at least 30 minutes and I tried to think of the the things he'd not asked that I could answer, too.

He thanked me profusely and I can say that I instantly felt like the last 14 hour workday was erased.....I had recharged my batteries. I felt absolutely great. I can only hope that he'll be able to sort things out and find out the information that he needs to find out to better make his battle plan.

So....I'm almost out the main entrance....but then veer on a new course. I stopped off at the nice gym we have at work and spent 30 mins working out before refilling my 30 oz Water bottle and getting in the car for the well hydrated ride home.

Life is good. I am grateful for each day....but yesterday was really cool. I looked at this guy and could see in him the same desire to change that I had......the same confusion as to how......and I'm hoping that things will line up for him. I know that our HR department and our benefits are lacking in regards to wls. I need to study up on the various financing options and have this information readily available....contact info and such so I can be better prepared for the next such conversation I have with potential wls candidates.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

I hope that today brings another such conversation with someone like this young guy. I hope that each of you have this experience and can feel a sense of calm and relief in the person you are talking to. It is a powerful moment and one that is very rewarding.

To date, it's one of the very best NSV's I've had.

Beautiful ????!