random acts of good vibes
Yesterday I knew I had to run because we were going to get a bad windstorm that afternoon. I was actually looking forward to it and felt good. Jack could sense we were going to go so kept coming in and nudging me as if to say, "Now?"
I got dressed, primed the ipod with some good Christmas tunes and we headed out the door and up the hill, listening to Barbara Streisand singing "Raindrops on roses...etc"...not one of my favorite things, but it seems if I skip a song I am not fond of, my pod gets back at me by playing it more often.
I was just doing the usual 5 mile loop and Jack and I, both of us having a good day it seemed, ran along, enjoying the familiar scenery. It amazes me that even though I do this route a lot, I often see things I have never seen before or at least noticed.
It is Christmas tree season (began about two weeks ago) so the neighborhood Smith's Marketplace has their Christmas trees out - all of them hoping to be resuscitated briefly, before they are all the way dead, in some one's living room, adorned with decorations and LED lights. I always keep Jack away from the trees because I am sure he would love to leave some "pee mail" on them, which would result in other dogs doing the same. As I run through this parking lot, I always look down because once I found a $100 bill. Usually though, it is anything from a penny to a quarter. Whatever it is, I pick it up and throw it in the jar on my dresser and it becomes my Michigan casino money eventually.
We ran past what my friend Sid calls "the mascara house" because it is outlined in black trim and headed to our turn around point just past the high school where all three of my kids graduated. A woman ran towards me and I noticed the big smile on her face so of course, I "gave her one of mine" as the saying suggests one should do in these situations. As she got closer I was able to see by counting the wrinkles in front of her earlobes, which is my unofficial method of guessing approximate age, that she was of my vintage. We both stopped and she spontaneously, gave me a big hug.
"Do I know you?" She asked? I was wondering the same thing.
She did look familiar so I asked her if she ran a lot. It turns out that she runs the St. George marathon every year and often runs in this neighborhood. Before I retired I ran this same route but it was usually way before dawn so I never got to see anyone and certainly never got hugged by strangers. It is not unusual that I didn't see her before.
Her name was Barbara. That's my sister's name so I knew I would not forget it. It's also a name that is only owned by "women of a certain age". Not many name their babies Barbara anymore. Or Donna, for that matter. We talked for a minute, she petted Jack and complemented him on his running ability and then we ran off in opposite directions.
I was left with a good feeling. I wouldn't hug just any stranger but this woman seemed so warm and kind. She made me realize how brief encounters with someone you don't even know could make your day better and give you faith that there are a lot of good people out there.
And her name was Barbara - how could a person go wrong running into someone with the name of my good sister who really exemplifies someone that makes other people's days a lot better just by her many random kindnesses - she might not be big on actual hugs but she gives them in the form of home made jam, sauerkraut and anything else she knows some one might want or need.
The world would be a better place if there were more Barbaras!
 |
| Jack's favorite "waiting" pose" |
I was just doing the usual 5 mile loop and Jack and I, both of us having a good day it seemed, ran along, enjoying the familiar scenery. It amazes me that even though I do this route a lot, I often see things I have never seen before or at least noticed.
It is Christmas tree season (began about two weeks ago) so the neighborhood Smith's Marketplace has their Christmas trees out - all of them hoping to be resuscitated briefly, before they are all the way dead, in some one's living room, adorned with decorations and LED lights. I always keep Jack away from the trees because I am sure he would love to leave some "pee mail" on them, which would result in other dogs doing the same. As I run through this parking lot, I always look down because once I found a $100 bill. Usually though, it is anything from a penny to a quarter. Whatever it is, I pick it up and throw it in the jar on my dresser and it becomes my Michigan casino money eventually.
We ran past what my friend Sid calls "the mascara house" because it is outlined in black trim and headed to our turn around point just past the high school where all three of my kids graduated. A woman ran towards me and I noticed the big smile on her face so of course, I "gave her one of mine" as the saying suggests one should do in these situations. As she got closer I was able to see by counting the wrinkles in front of her earlobes, which is my unofficial method of guessing approximate age, that she was of my vintage. We both stopped and she spontaneously, gave me a big hug.
"Do I know you?" She asked? I was wondering the same thing.
She did look familiar so I asked her if she ran a lot. It turns out that she runs the St. George marathon every year and often runs in this neighborhood. Before I retired I ran this same route but it was usually way before dawn so I never got to see anyone and certainly never got hugged by strangers. It is not unusual that I didn't see her before.
Her name was Barbara. That's my sister's name so I knew I would not forget it. It's also a name that is only owned by "women of a certain age". Not many name their babies Barbara anymore. Or Donna, for that matter. We talked for a minute, she petted Jack and complemented him on his running ability and then we ran off in opposite directions.
I was left with a good feeling. I wouldn't hug just any stranger but this woman seemed so warm and kind. She made me realize how brief encounters with someone you don't even know could make your day better and give you faith that there are a lot of good people out there.
And her name was Barbara - how could a person go wrong running into someone with the name of my good sister who really exemplifies someone that makes other people's days a lot better just by her many random kindnesses - she might not be big on actual hugs but she gives them in the form of home made jam, sauerkraut and anything else she knows some one might want or need.
The world would be a better place if there were more Barbaras!
Comments