Young Man, Old Man.

Last night we had several errands to run so we ate a quick bite at a deli/coffee shop.  As I sat eating my roast beef sandwich I found myself watching a young man hanging around the coffee bar/refill area.  He was tall, thin, bearded and dressed in a short black jacket and darker pants.  He also had two nap-sack style backpacks on his back, you know the type that just only have draw strings for your arms and closures.  I watched him take out a plastic grocery bag with a little bit of food in it.  He prepared the food and placed it into a microwave that was only large enough to fit a soup bowl.  While he waited for his food to cook I noticed that his black coat was torn from armpit to about his mid back.  From this tear I could see a pair of ragged but neatly folded pants, along with one or two shirts, were stashed between his back and the torn jacket.  After the food was done being heated, he took paper napkins and cleaned the entire microwave.  He then proceeded to take out his wallet and any change from his pockets.  He laid it all out in a neat row then stacked and counted it twice.  It could not have added up to any more that three or four bucks in total.  He then divided it into two piles, one went back into his wallet while the other went into his pants pocket.  Just as he was picking up his food another sight caught my eye.  A lady that had been sitting two tables from us stood up.  She was one of the largest ladies that I have ever seen.  Not fat large but a good 6'4" and 250-275 lbs and solid.  Dressed in neat black dress pants and a plain pull over shirt.  Her hair was longish and pulled back in a slick and sever half bun half pony tail.  She took two steps toward our table and I felt a wave of heat come over me.  Why was this woman walking toward me?  Crap, what had I done and what was she going to do to me?  She then knelt down next to an older man sitting near me.  The man was softly sobbing.  She placed one hand on his knee and with the other she stroked his head and hand.  She talked to him for some time and as she stood back up she caught my eyes and gave me a soft smile.  I hope that she was able to read the thank you my eyes were trying to send her.  The old man placed his hands over his eyes and continued sitting alone and the young guy at the coffee bar was now gone. 

As I left the shop I reminded myself that every person has a story.  Not everyday is a happy one and I will try to remember to smile toward a stranger, hold open a door or say a kind word.  For that one person my small kindness might be the only positive thing that happens their entire day.

Shoe School

If I could settle on what dress and shoes to wear to Harukas wedding I would be set.  At one point and time in my life I could have run, and won, a marathon in the highest of heels.  Now when I put my heels on I seem to walk like a robot. Small step, pause, small step, pause.  Between each step I must check myself to make certain I don't get so far off balance that I can't recover.  Sure I could wear lower or even flat shoes but they are not as cute.  So for now you will find me practicing my walk by running the vacuum, doing dishes and laundry in my yoga pants and black platform heels.  I hope my next post is not titled " How I broke my leg while relearning to walk in heels".

2011, The Year of Travel!

2011 is going to be filled with travel.  Some close, some far, some new and some familiar but all will be fun.  After two years, of either being ill or recovering, I am ready to get back to wondering around. 

First up Japan!  Ten years after meeting sweet Haruka, we are at long last  making a trip to Japan.  This both excites and has me nervous.  I have no clue how to speak Japanese let alone read a sign.  I am sure to mess up the whole shoes off, slippers on, slippers off, bathroom slippers on, slippers back on thing.  Not to mention the toilets....YIKES!  The "cat box" style or the more buttons and functions than a spaceship type, they both have me concerned.  Can I fall into the cat box?  What if my legs won't support me?  Do I remove all of the clothing from my lower body or just pull them down and risk peeing onto my pants?  If I squat in the woods I always get a shoe or part of my pants.  The toilet with all of the buttons, sprays and heat, what am I to do with all of that?  However, with all of this concern over communication, slippers and toilets my excitement over meeting Harukas family, new husband Sean and exploring a new country wins.  So in less than two months two economy seats on All Nippon Airlines are waiting to zip us over time zones and the international date line. 

Look for updates, on this journey, soon.

Here we go

After some time of going back and forth in my mind about posting a blog, I am going to give it a shot.  After all what is the worst thing that can happen?  Nobody reads it?  My spelling and writing skills are less than desired?  In the grand scheme of things these are minor issues.

So, here I go!