Thursday, March 24, 2011

People

I stand in line this morning to get coffee. Behind me is a young man whose eyes are rolling back in his head as he starts nodding off. Piss stains are on his pants. I do not know him, but think that I might know his story.

Later in the morning I am on the beach giving an ecotour to a group of students. One young man is in a wheel chair. His legs are bent and twisted. I roll him along the beach, looking for shark's teeth and interesting marine life. He is interested and engaging. He tells me that he is the oldest in his class. But he isn't bothered by that. It is just a number he tells me.






A young girl draws a heart in the sand. Under it she writes her name and that of her real or hoped for boyfriend, joined by a plus. She is twelve years old but looks much older with makeup and adult clothes. She is intent in making her letters deep, hoping that they won't be erased by the rising tide.

A group of young girls walk along together whispering and giggling. Suddenly they break into loud squeals of delight as they see dolphins breaking the surface of the water. Their wide smiles reveal braces. For a few moments they forget their talk of hair and clothes and boys. One comes up to show me a shell that she found. It is perfectly formed.

The men children stand aloof, pretending disinterest. One is wearing a fedora that he said he bought today. Another boy comes up to ask me if he can help move the fenders from one side of the boat to the other as we prepare to dock. He tells me he knows how to tie a clove hitch from Boy Scouts. I get him to move the fenders. The other boys watch him but hang back in their coolness.

Between tours I meet with a sponsee. He tells me that he is starting to let go and feel less anxious about outcomes. He thinks that he is starting to feel the power of recovery working in his life. He sees that the promises are real.

Later in the day I go to the grocery store. I see an elderly couple walking out holding hands. I run into a fellow I know who has 24 years in recovery. He tells me that he has to go work on the dairy case because he has gotten a promotion. He is no longer stocking shelves but is the dairy case manager. He is pleased about this and his gratitude for a job is obvious.

These are just some of the people I interacted with today, yet they stuck in my mind. They reminded me of how many paths there are in life, how many chapters yet to be written. I briefly was in their life today. And they each touched mine.

15 comments:

  1. When we take the time to look it is possible to see.

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  2. Pretty cool when you have a day of not just natural wonder, but the real observation of the nature of the human race :)

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  3. That sounds like a wonderful day! Don't ya just want to drop a fire cracker down the back of the pants of boys that age?? ;)

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  4. At times Syd you make me hear a Mozart piano sonata when I am listening to Led Zeppelin.

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  5. I loved this post. Thank you for sharing your day and the diverse group of people that you met. I found it very interesting.

    Have a great weekend. You are loved.

    SB

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  6. Oh Syd - - - somehow - - - I feel part of your story today.

    Hugs,
    Anonymous #1

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  7. I love this post, it is always amazing how life reveals itself to us when we are paying attention and how people are amazing and wonderful, complex and curious.

    Thank you for this post!

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  8. Isn't it amazing how each and every human has a story? I am glad you got to be part of these people's stories today and to tell us about them too. We are all interwoven, aren't we?

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  9. Ok, I needed to read this today. I needed to see that you chose to post all of the positive beautiful things about each person you encountered today. Because I am stuck focusing on the negative. I needed the help to get unstuck. Thanks Syd. beautiful post.

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  10. smiles. glad you had eyes to see today...

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  11. What a lovely entry, Syd. It makes me more aware of everyone around me...to really SEE them and to realize that each of them has their own particular life to lead. I can learn from everyone ... not just those that are in my AA groups.

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  12. You are talented with description. I found your post very engaging. I am glad I stopped by.

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  13. If I am mindful and present there is so much to see and appreciate in just everyday moments. Thanks for sharing your adventure today.

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  14. Thank you Syd. This inspires me to take more interest in my fellow travelers.

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  15. i love how all people become fascinating after the insights gained in recovery..they all show us something :) no such thing as a 'boring' person once you get to know the human condition better.

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