"Making the best of things"

Standing outside of a hospital entrance in southside Virginia, an overheard exchange caught my attention. Two middle aged men of apparently limited means passed each other and this was their passing greeting.

"How you doing?"
"Making the best of things."
"Ok."
"Ok."

The men gave looks of acknowledgement, pleasant but no toothy grins. They focused and continued on their separate ways. It was such a simple response to a simple question but it hit me as an attitude that was profound in its own way. Saying "making the best of things" so naturally struck me as real. These days, that's an accomplishment.