How are you?

I try and be outside, for at least an hour each day. I keep hearing my dad saying "keep moving" and I do. Today I went to Melbourne Beach, as the Congregation was having their annual Yard Sale, and I felt I wanted to go over and say hello... I haven't been able to attend services of late... I was hoping that none of my friends there would say "How are you?" because I would fall apart emotionally.

The first person I came upon asked "How are you?" and when I started to tell them, they had to go. only one lady who came up to me and gave me a hug was genuinely interested...I recalled a visit with the cashier in Grand Union in Bainbridge, NY when I was checking out asked her"How are you doing?"
And she asked of me "DO YOU REALLY CARE." and right at that moment, I didn't. and told her so.
In life, so many there are who ASK this question, and it's as though they want to say "tell me you are fine." My father used to tell us all when we asked him "I'm fine" and I understand more clearly, why he said that...I DID listen to my father, and I am grateful both he and my mother felt comfortable in sharing with me, but I want to tell him "thank you" for always understanding even when I didn't...."

The next time that you ask a person "how are you?" before you ask the question, ask yourself whether you are willing to listen, really listen to them as they tell you>