The rhythm of my feet on the pavement made my heart and soul sing. I was in a state of utter bliss as I ran on the hot and humid afternoon last week. I had already gotten to the halfway mark of my run and was headed back towards home starting back up the incline in the road. I was solidly in my head in a meditative state when I saw a sweet elderly woman at the end of a driveway by the mailbox. I focused on her as I ran and realized that she was dilly-dallying at the end of the driveway. A wave of immense loneliness came crashing over me. As I approached her I waved and said “it was a beautiful afternoon, eh?”
“You are doing great” she said back as if she had been waiting to say that.
I smiled and said “thank you”. I slowed my pace and crossed the road. It was clear that she was looking to speak.
We introduced ourselves and she asked where I lived, I explained. She then proceeded to tell me that she had just lost her husband and that it was her first visit to the store in a long time. She said that it had been 3 weeks since she had spoken with someone in person. I barely said a word, I smiled while she told me her life story. She told me about the beauty and abundance of love that she had experienced. She told me about the recent loss of her husband. She told me that she was never able to have children. She told me of her medical conditions and her plan to place herself on a path of health and wellness. It was clear that she needed to be heard and validated. A car went by and I waved.
“Oh, how do you know those people” she asked.
“I don’t” I said back.
She stared at me blankly and then laughed and said “no, really, how do you know them”.
“I don’t” I said back and smiled. Another car went by and I waved.
“Why would you wave to them” she asked with a clear disconnect in her voice.
“I like people” I said back. It was that simple. I like people. I like the connections that humans have with each other. I like wishing people the best. These people are crossing my path and my energy field. I appreciate each driver who makes the choice to swerve around me on my run. These are my neighbors. These are locals. These are humans who happen to be coming in contact with me. I wave at everyone who passes me while I run. It is a simple act of kindness and I believe that simple acts of kindness is how we see chance. I never expect a wave back, however, it lights my world up when people wave back or flash a peace sign. Love people, enjoy people, find the light side of life, spray love like a water sprinkler. I promise, you won’t be sorry.
She giggled awkwardly and said “I guess you do, You have been talking to a stranger for the past 20 minutes and act like you enjoy the conversation”.
“Oh Rhonda, I do enjoy this conversation. I feel wildly blessed that you were willing to share glimpses of your life with me”.
She made beautiful eye contact with me. Her eyes sparkled and a childlike energy came out of her.
As she climbed into her car to drive to her house, she smiled and waved to me.
