Let me introduce you to my friend, Jerry. I've been watching him walk down my street everyday at exactly 4:30pm. It's such a ritual that's it's become one of my favorite parts of the day. In fact, my own internal clock has become so accustomed that I don't even think WHY I'm looking out the window, but when I do it happens to be 4:30 and there's Jerry! What I love most about this man, besides his kind spirit, is his endurance and persistance in walking even though it takes him 30+ minutes on my street alone..... one small step at a time. At 4:15 he rounds the corner, makes his way past a lingerie store where he waves to the gals inside, continues on to two more store fronts and from 4:30 to 4:45 he rests inside a restaurant before continuing on to 5 o'clock dinner at a food shelter he used to volunteer at. My favorite part is when he crosses the street at a diagonal and makes traffic wait.
Several months go by when I'm parking my car at the same time Jerry is crossing the street. I think to myself, I finally get to meet this man! I walk up to him with a smile, say hi and keep going..... I got nervous for some silly reason. I stop, turn around and go back to introduce myself. I share with him how much joy he-- a stranger-- brings me everyday. He's flattered and compliments me on my smile - says he only talks to people who smile. We continue conversation for another ten minutes or so. I ask him where he's coming from and where he's going everyday. He tells me how the food shelter gives him a ride back home since "his legs don't work so well anymore" I tell him his legs appear to be working just fine :) He continues to explain his tactical plan for crossing the snowy curb. He cracks some funny jokes and then I ask if I could take his photo sometime.... I find so much joy in observing him, I wanted to capture it. He was very pleased by my request. I said I'd catch him the next time I saw him and wished him a good evening. I was beaming for some time after. Funny man, my friend Jerry. Well, since our first run-in, we've bumped into each other all over town and have had very pleasant conversation on various subjects. I'm hoping one day he'll wave up at my window like he does with the gals at the lingerie shop.
