Just a thought...

Yesterday, as I was leaving the pharmacy and heading to the grocery store next door, a woman stopped me and asked for a dollar. She was; tall, at least sixty pounds overweight, her hair was a fright, clothing dirty... She didn't look homeless, maybe depressed or permanently angry?

As she asked for the money, she looked me up and down with a squinting disapproval. I probably presented the exact opposite of her.

I walked away thinking "That's Syracuse alright! A person who hasn't washed or changed clothes in a couple three days, judging someone else's appearance, while begging for money." As I walked, I reconsidered those thoughts. She didn't hurt me, she pushed herself further away from where she needs to be. Sad really.

Maybe, he is smarter?

It's little nephew's birthday. Someone gave him some sort of game which requires assembly...

LN: Uncle Lester, I got this for my birthday. Please help me put it together.

ME: (Looks at huge box) 100 parts? What the f***?

LN: Oooou, Uncle Lester said a curse word.

ME: Yes, yes, I did.

* I stare at the box for ten minutes

LN: Maybe, if you looked at the instructions? Here.

ME: Oh, great idea!

LN: Uncle Lester, how about you just watch? I am probably smarter than you are.

Me: LOL. If you say so.
(I sit back wondering, who gave him this crap?)

Fifteen minutes past.

LN: All done Uncle Lester.

ME: Great, but I think this part goes over here?

LN: No, it doesn't.

ME: 😐

Peace

I had a lovely chat with a woman at the bottom of my hill. I hadn't seen her for almost a year. She loves to garden, and has a beautiful property. I was admiring her meticulous work, when I heard her say hello from her enclosed porch. She sounded different, like a person with hearing difficult.

She slowly formulated words to tell me that eight months ago she had as the result of medical error, two strokes in one day.

As you might suspect, her road to recovery hasn't been easy. However, her rode to enlightenment has been amazing. She has learned to appreciate life, and peace, and joy. After a life changing event four years ago, she fell into a despair that until now she didn't realize she was even in. Her strokes have served as moments of clarity. She now sees that things come together when we find peace, and not the other way around.

Our paths crossed today for a reason, to share. Don't ignore your opportunities. ❤