Driving to work every day is a pleasant task, five miles through mostly wooded areas, with very little traffic if one leaves at the right time. For some time now, I have been greeted everyday by a small sign made of scrap plywood that brings a smile to my face. On the plywood canvas, hand painted words done with a small brush in bright red capital letters say “Hi Doll Baby” to me as I drive by.
The sign hangs on a tree located close to a pile of construction rock. As excavation and the clearing of rocks continued, the course of the road was altered to allow for the additional filling of low spots and the leveling of a plane for construction. As the course of the road changed, the new route bypassed the sign. But, in a matter of days, it was moved and reappeared close to the turn off to make sure it was visible.
This sign has persevered, while others nailed to trees advertising “Work From Home and Make $10 an hour!” and “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!” lasted only weeks before they disappeared. I did not paint the sign, but I smile as I think about the impact it must have on its intended audience. I envision a modern day Cyrano using his sign to woo his Roxanne through her car window on the way to work. Or perhaps a lovesick Romeo letting his Juliet know she is his sun, his lady, his love. There is no exclamation point on the sign, it is not a “Hey!” but a subtle velvet Barry White basso profundo tone so low that it is imperceptible across a crowded room, but crystal clear when whispered close enough to feel warm breath on your cheek.
As a man, I imagine the sign was the work of a man, but given that the sign could have been painted with nail polish, I guess I’ll really never know; the author (artist?) remains anonymous. In any event, I like the sign and imagine it could have been painted for me. As the sign has only a limited audience, I would like to think that by extending its friendly greeting to those of you reading this story, I have given it new life. Ancient honor codes dictate that anyone who saves a life is responsible for it thereafter. In being responsible for it, I am passing it on for you to see and share. You can keep the attachment on your desktop to make you smile, or better yet, forward this Yahoo link to loved ones with the caption: “Thinking of you,” included. Everybody needs a “Hi Doll Baby” now and then. And besides, when your friends see it as the subject line of your E-mail, they’ll know it was really meant for them.