I can’t give you the details because of the people involved, but last night I saw class personified. 

I just realize what that means, personified.  It means that I saw a person, people actually who perfectly, clearly and wonderfully represented a characteristic, in this case true class.

I saw a person, a family, be gracious, thankful, warm, happy, friendly, generous, kind, there is more… this is enough to give you a clear idea. 

I mean a person who makes you feel like part of their family.  Obviously these are only the outer trappings of class.  It was that behavior in a situation that could have… would have brought out just the opposite behavior in some people.  At least, most people would have approached the situation with optimistic caution.  Not these people.  They simply behaved with sincere, calm grace, generosity of spirit and complete natural humility.

I stayed up past two a.m. in the afterglow of this experience.  I woke at 7:30 a.m. a few moments ago following one of the best dreams of my life.  My first thoughts were of these amazing people who inspired me to be a better human being, simply by being with them.

Oh, by the way, these are regular folk.  These are not rich and famous people except in spirit.  These are regular folk with regular families and regular jobs, normal challenges large and small.  Though I just met them I believe this depth of character is simply their modus operandi, their normal behavior. 

When I see them again, I will thank them for their contribution to my life and to the world.  I will have a better day, be a better person, and bring more to the world because I cannot, I will not experience that type of natural contribution and without paying it forward.