I first noticed him last
fall. The days were getting shorter. I saw him as I drove to school, the mornings
were dark, and soon would be darker. He
walked slowly, along the side of the road, no sidewalks this far out of
town. His feet were barely moving, his shoulders
stooped and his stomach rounded, with his head down he looked miserable. Trudge, I thought, as I noticed him day after
day. He did not swing his arms or even
smile as he walked. He trudged.
All winter long I saw him.
Our scheduled meshed, he’d be walking somewhere along the cemetery as I
drove to school. I saw him nearly every
day, snow or mud. Reliable, I came to
expect his slow march. As summer break gave me
later awakenings and less frequent morning drives, I forgot the morning walker.
Each August our local town holds a Summerfest. The weekend before Labor Day the town is full
of craft tents, beer tents and even a 5 and 10 K run/walk. Monday as I drove to school early on this
soon to be fall morning, I was delighted
to see my faithful friend walking proudly wearing a Summerfest Walk/Run 2012 T-shirt. The shirt looked good, and so did he.
How cool is that! Isn't it funny how we notice someone or something and it becomes part of us in a way. Great story!
ReplyDeleteIt is really neat how this man has changed in a few months and how you've noticed. xo nanc
ReplyDeleteI love the connection that you share with this person, though he may be unaware. It is something you look for, are happy for and it's part of you.
ReplyDelete