"The Sweetest Thing..."

This morning i was tantalized by the local Starbucks near my office. They were more than happy to see me, as I am sure that business has been slow due to the economy. As I pulled out of the drive with my Chai-Tea-Latte (Grande of course), and rolled up to the red light. I looked to my right to the corner of the street and caught a glimpse of what I thought was a child, holding a small grey pot with a half dying red flowering plant of some sort. I turned to the light and something made me take another look at this creature. It wasn't a child at all, it was a woman, about 80 or so. As my eyes adjusted to take the image in, my satellite station started to play U2's - Sweetest Thing... a song redone and re-released many times over, I believe most recently in 2004; based on my Google search. The song was perfect for my image of this woman. She had short white hair, a blue and yellow argyle sweater on with khaki pants and white Keds. She also seems to be suffering from osteoporosis, as she was tilted to the right and hunched over a bit. As I continued to survey her outfit (which was quite classically put together), she must have felt me looking at her because she turned and made eye contact. Our eyes met, and I smiled - both dimples and all... hoping to brighten her day. I held my smile for at least 3 seconds, wondering if she could see it through her older eyes, the 300 foot distance, and my car windshield. It finally registered in her brain, and she smiled back with the most amazing small, and crooked smile. Her dying flower in her grey pot shook slightly with her smile... as if it was absorbing her radiating excitement. I then thought... where is she going with that dying flower? Why does she have it? Is it for someone? Maybe an elderly friend, or a grandchild down the street? With U2's Sweetest Thing still in the background; she turned away and at that moment the light changed, allowing her and I to move forward across the newly paved street. I waited for a moment.. as I watched her step into the walking lane to cross.... hobbling to the right where her delicate shoulder drops, all while still holding the delicate flower and pot with all of the strength in her left hand and arm. She seemed so content, and determined. I pulled into the street, passing her slowly as my eyes started to water only due to the whole feeling and sweetness of the scene mirrored with U2's amazing song.