A Thought: The PeopleThat Surround Us

I've been thinking about changes I've made in my life recently and what a huge difference they have made. I've been thinking about the people I choose to surround myself with, the people I let go, the people I reconnected with, and the new people I have sought out.

Since then, one thing has become very clear to me:

Maybe it's not always about surrounding ourselves with the people who think that we're good enough.

Maybe sometimes life is about surrounding ourselves with the people who see that we can be more.

wandering in the rain

we find ourselves wandering
city streets in the rain
lights sparkling in
droplets of water
breath heavy in the
cold damp mist
the only warmth comes
from between us
in our orbit
as we pass each others space
I see the stars in your eyes
pretending it's just the reflection
of city lights
in droplets of water...
pretending that I don't wonder
when we'll find ourselves wandering
city streets in the rain...

again

Strange Exchanges, No 4

Strange Exchanges, No 4

"Peacocking"

I was on my way to work after an odd little errand I had to run on Gravier Street (but that's another story for another day). As I was walking up one of the side streets toward Poydras, I encountered a man in full punk regalia: a hairstyle that contained both elements of the mo-hawk and a mullet (although not gelled), a wife-beater tank, numerous piercings, skinny jeans, and lots of bright tattoos. Suddenly, he began to speak, much to my surprise, in an Australian accent.

"That's some very bright lipstick you have on there. "

True, I was wearing a bold shade of lipstick, but I found the statement odd considering that everything in his dress was loud and commanding, and comparatively I was dressed in a conservative manner. Not sure of what else to say, I replied, "Um, thanks. Those are some very colorful tattoos you have there. "

Strange Exchanges, No 3

Strange Exchanges, No 3

"The Game"

Overheard downtown: Two men were walking and talking in a busy shopping center. Very loudly, one exclaimed to the other, " How can you watch the game at a strip club?!?!"

Strange Exchanges No 2

Strange Exchanges No 2

"The Pen is Mightier"

Walking in the Garden District on a beautiful, sunny day, I noticed an elderly gentleman trying to cross the street as I was crossing the same street one block up. He was breathing through a tube attached to a device and used a walker to keep his balance as he walked. At first, I was concerned that he was out by himself, because he looked frail. Upon closer inspection, his clothes were all very well-pressed and he was clean and well-groomed. Someone was taking very good care of him, at least.

There is a small park on the neutral ground across the street, and as we approached the area, I heard him shout behind me.

"Miss! Miss! "

Initially, I thought that maybe he was lost or needed help. I turned toward his direction.

" Yes, sir? "

He reached into a belt pack on his hip and produced from it a very nice pen, the kind that people receive in those expensive desk sets that one gives as a gift because they don't know what else to buy someone.

" I want you to have this, " he said.

"Oh, no. Thank you. That's very nice, but I have a pen, " I said.

I could picture him going home to his family or caretaker and relaying this story of giving his pen to a lady on the street. (Surely there's a joke there, somewhere. )

"Oh, but you're very pretty, and I want you to have this. It writes very nicely. "

Now I was slightly embarrassed, and also started looking around to see if someone was keeping an eye on him. Had he wandered away from a nursing home? Was there even a nursing home close by? The closest one I could think of was at least a mile away, if not more. I didn't see anyone around. Finally, I replied to him.

" Thank you. That's very sweet, but I can't take it. You might need to write down something important later. "

"Okay, well you're a very pretty lady and have a very nice day. It's a pretty day to be out for a walk. "

"Yes, it is," I said. "You take care and enjoy your walk, sir. "

At this point, I had to hurry on my way. I was already running late. I just hoped that he wasn't completely confused and made his way back to wherever it was that he belonged. And I hope that he had his pen handy when he had something important to write down later. Or maybe he gave it to another pretty lady.