I don’t actually know him. I didn’t even see him doing what I’m about to discuss (I’m reporting it secondhand), but that’s how great I think it is.

Today while playing outside with his Nonna (Melanie’s mom), Theo got to see the garbage truck come down the street and pick up our trash. You wouldn’t think this would matter much, but Theo loves watching the trash collectors work. He has a deep appreciation for taking objects from one container and putting them in another, so seeing these guys empty the cans and lift the buckets is a real treat.

And the guys in our neighborhood are pretty cool about it. I don’t know how many people really like the idea of someone else watching them work, but they always wave or smile or give some indication that they are not ticked off that this toddler is staring at them while they go about their business. That is really about the best I could ever hope for, them doing their jobs well and being nice about it.

Today, though, one of the guys went a few extra steps. He put on a red clown nose and walked to the garbage cans in a comically exaggerated fashion, taking large, elevated steps slower than he needed to. He made an effort to entertain a kid who happened to be watching him from the driveway. And he had props. That means it wasn’t a spur of the moment thing; he was ready in case the opportunity to bring a little extra joy into a child’s life presented itself to him.

Why?

It’s not his job to entertain. He’s not going to get a bonus for being the nicest guy on the back of the truck. We don’t know his name even if we wanted to pay him a compliment or praise him to his boss. It was a totally selfless act, one that he did just because it might make someone smile.

Or maybe it’s not totally selfless exactly. I’m sure he gets a kick out of it. And why shouldn’t he? I’m sure there are only so many ways to find joy in a job that most of us would scoff at. Maybe he complains at the end of the day because the work is hard and tiring and probably doesn’t pay that well. I imagine that’s the normal response. But I also imagine that his day feels a little better when he gets the chance to put on the nose, to put on a little show for a stranger. Not because he will get applause or tips or any sort of recognition. Just because he thought of it one day, or maybe he saw someone else do it, and he thought, “I have to pick up the can either way. Why not try to make someone smile or laugh while I do it?”

It makes me wonder how often I fail to see that as an option. So much of my life is spent doing the tasks I need to do, but how many times do I have the opportunity to put on a small show just to see if it will brighten someone else’s day?

I have to pick up the can anyway. Why not do it with a bright red nose?

Footnote: As for Theo, he takes his garbage collection quite seriously, so he didn’t crack a smile for the guy. But he did later when he told me about it. And I’m certain he will be looking for a red nose the next time the trash truck comes down the road.