Got back from my daily walk around the neighborhood a little while ago. While the weather was not as glorious as it had been the last several days, it was still nice to get out. In addition to the physical benefits, one of the things I enjoy about walking around my neighborhood is the sense of being connected to the world at large. You don’t really get that on a treadmill with an electronic device. Some of the people I encounter on my walk I know by name. Some I’ve made up names for. One couple I see regularly I refer to as Smiley & Chuckles because they both look like they could bite a nail in half. Others, I know their dogs’ names but not theirs. And then there are those who pass me going in the opposite direction looking straight ahead avoiding all eye contact. I respect that, but if they let their guard down and so much as cast a furtive glance in my direction I will HELLO! them into next week.
This morning I came upon a car parked on the street facing my direction. A woman my age or perhaps slightly older, who I’m pretty sure lives in the house which the car was parked in front of, had the rear driver-side door open and was arranging items in the backseat. As I approached she was closing the rear door and opening the front door to get in when she noticed me. She stopped and said, “You’re limping; do you need a ride somewhere?” In that moment I was struck by several thoughts:
One, I do walk with a slight limp but maybe it’s not as slight as I think it is.
Two, I should probably do something about that.
And three, I felt grateful that I live in the neighborhood/city/state/country/world in which I do. Kind people are all around us; it’s the asshats that get our mind share most of the time unfortunately.
This afternoon I have to make a trip that will require me to drive on South IH 35. I’m going to imagine that every driver around me is like that woman. I’m also going to imagine that I have the gait of a gazelle. No doubt reality will come crashing down around me when I get cut off and have to hit the brake pedal using my gimp leg.
And as for my concerned neighbor, I thanked her for her kindness and told her that that’s just how I roll. Kind of like that one shopping cart with the wonky wheel that you always manage to grab at the grocery store.
I'm Just Being Frank 
I seriously enjoy reading your vignettes … everyone of them … all of them. Thank you for posting them … for free, and while I’m probably not the first and only person to tell you this (and maybe you’ve even toyed with the idea yourself) … these vignettes would make a great book my friend. I would buy it … and my sense is there are many other folks out there who would buy it too. Of course money is not everything, or even the most important thing in life. Bringing joy to others like you do with your thoughtful insights and poignant vignettes is valuable too, and you indeed do that. I’m just saying brother … the collection of your vignettes in a book would be a real treasure trove for me (and I believe others) … a real gift and something I would buy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind words, Mike. Yes, it’s been suggested that I should write a book. Maybe a collaboration with your photos and my stories!
LikeLike