Human Kindness in 2019

So it's Wednesday. I decide to walk for an hour and a half to get to the newest Japanese store. I walk and I slide all through sharp wind and icy temperature. I keep going but every time I pass a frozen bus stop I turn around to see if there is a bus in vicinity. Nope. I pass a couple of bus stops where people waiting for the bus look like pigeons in the cold. All bunched up together, hooded heads hiding in their shoulders, waiting in silence and with patience. I have no patience in this weather, I keep walking.

Shakespeare, Ontario, 2019

I walk as far as the path takes me. It ends at the construction of the new subway system. They closed off the pedestrian side walk. I must cross the street. From here it is only one intersection. My body is warmed up from all the walking but hands are frozen. I can't wait to turn into that driveway. I see the store listings at the plaza. Here it is Momo, my Japanese goods source. Oh! But what's this on the left? An Asian supermarket? Must go in! I am going in! I decide to buy only togarashi, Japanese red pepper and herbs mix, and dashi, soup base. I am all out. Must buy! Three shopping bags later I exit the supermarket, all happy and sweaty from all the excitement! Finally I don't have to go to far ends of the city to get all this stuff! I walk out to finally face Momo. However, as I am getting closer, I see that the parking lot is suspiciously empty. There is another lady with me who just pulled up with her black SUV. She looks very happy and warm in her long fur-looking coat. I take a look at her because she is a beautiful lady maybe in her fifties. She looks very well taken care of. Her blond her cut in a bob suits her so well. She has a very gentle, lady-like look.

I pull on the door handle. It doesn't open the door. On the contrary, it bounces back in a protective gesture. Hmmmmm! Shaise! I hear the lady from the car. "It is not open yet! They open at 11." That's it! I walked in this cold all for nothing? But with all this stuff there is no way I can wait in this cold. I make a joke and tell her exactly my plan. She laughs. I see that she is opening the door to her car, so then she will wait. Not me. I pass her car but hear her say something. I am thinking that it is definitely not to me but i turn around anyway. She is talking to me. "If you'd like to sit and wait in my car I will be happy to do that?" OK, now I am blown away from this earth and back. So kind people still live in 2019!! I am ecstatic and if I wasn't so far away from her I would hug her. I kindly decline her amazing offer. I make sure she knows that this was an extraordinary thing to offer to a stranger. I express gratitude with all the expression I have in me.

So little, yet so much! She offered such a small thing to a stranger, to wait in her warm car. Yet, so much, these days. Not too many have the courage these days. I think about it. I ask myself. Would you?

Happy New Year 2019, my dearest and the loveliest! May it be the best so far for all of us!

All Aboard

At first, I see a small dot in the air. Then, a short line with a light on it. Finally, it becomes clear when it is making its last turn with the landing gear out. I imagine all the people aboard twitching in their seats. There are those who squeeze their fists and close their eyes because they are afraid of landing. There are those who have their faces glued to the windows. They want to see everything! Others count minutes till they can finally turn their phones on and call or text or swipe their Instagram accounts. I imagine the flight attendants rushing up and down the aisle to pick up garbage, check for seat belts.  Clearly the vacations are over! There is a moment of silence. Only the humming of the engines smoothly sings their song. Everything on board stops for a moment. The buildings of the airport appear in the windows of the plane. Finally, there is a thump of the wheels on the pavement and squeaking of the walls. Hallelujah! People can breath again. They all are where they have been meant to be, on the ground! What a moment! Quick second later you can hear some unbuckling of the seat belts despite the warnings from the flight attendant. Ready! Set! Go! People begin to call their relatives and friends. Others get ready for the immigration check.

Every time I land I take a moment to think of that time when Papa Giovanni Paolo II came back to Poland for the first time after being chosen for a pope. He walks down the stairs. His papal white robes float in the wind. He kneels down and kisses the ground. I want to do it every time I land.

Iguana Island, Palm Tree. January, 2019.

But for me, looking from the front seat of a moving vehicle on the highway, this is just a big shiny machine, airborne, unfolding its feathers to land. At first a small dot in the air, then a short line with a light on it, finally, a machine with engines and wings. The point of view is everything!

Happy New Year! It is good to be back on the ground!