“Gratitude isn’t something that comes easily to human beings. We are way too busy living what we call life to be grateful. Whenever do we have the time to be grateful in the hustle and bustle? -Jennifer Warren, Musings of the Self and Soul
Earlier in the day it rained, and now I took some time to sit on a favorite bench to enjoy the sunshine while sipping my iced Americano. The sun beamed down on my face and arms. There was a sense of peace and serenity within me that I often experience after a rain. Now the sun not only poked through but shone brightly and strong.
I watched as the cars pulled out of their spots too quickly, listened to horns honking and muscle cars zooming. This otherwise quiet area exhibited a cacophony of sounds. The sounds of traffic are now part of my routine, and I have learned to ignore them as I tune into nature. I observed the birds as they moved from treetops to the ground, collecting crumbs dropped by people and creating a meal for themselves. I imagined the birds thoughts. Maybe this lovely creature was saying, “wow, I am so incredibly lucky to have such a meal. A whole chip just to myself. Or look at this crusty end of the bread. I will take it to my friends and share it.”
Sometimes we forget to be grateful for the small moments.
A meal.
The weather.
An unlikely connection.
I get lost in thoughts like this often.
A woman exiting a nearby store broke my concenctration as I noticed her carrying a blue umbrella, which was a stark contrast to her Sunday best black skirt, matching camisole and black sweater. Although it had rained earlier, the temperature had risen to ninety-four degrees. I thought it odd that she carried an umbrella. I wondered if she expected more rain. Or perhaps she took her umbrella in the store by habit. There was a hidden picture that lived on the inside of the umbrella which I wanted to see. So I inquired about it.
“That looks like a happy umbrella.” I stated from my bench.
“Oh, it is. Would you like to see it?”
“I would.”
She pressed the umbrella open and Snoopy appeared! Snoopy was from The Charlie Brown strip. I hadn’t seen Snoopy in years. But here he was on the inside of this beautiful umbrella.
We began to giggle.
“I love Snoopy, especially the teacher on Charlie Brown,” she said with a beaming smile. “You know, Wahhh Wahh.”
This extremely poised and proper woman mimicked the “Wahh Wahh” of the teacher on Snoopy. At that moment, she appeared with a childlike joy on her face. She showed me the most beautiful smile and the sound of her laughter still resonates in my mind.
“Do you work at this store?”
“No. I am a writer and a Life Coach. “
She closed the umbrella and put it on top of her car. “This is fate. This is truly fate. May I sit with you?”
“…we would rather continue to float in our stupor and in our daily resistance to life. For this is what is familiar.”-Jennifer Warren, Musings of the Self and Soul
It would have been effortless to avoid conversing with this lady. Many of us just pass through life without engaging and without wanting to get to know another human in our days. We have our own trials and tribulations, so why would we choose to engage with someone else? Why indeed? When we do, we usually receive the gifts of someone’s presence. I try not to float through life in a stupor but instead to dance with all that life has presented to me.
“Of course. I love making new friends.” This is always my answer to anyone wanting to chat.
We sat for a while getting to know one another. I scooted my legs off of the bench to make room for her to sit down.
Denise, that is her name, just started a life coach program and was also a writer. She wanted advice on next steps and just to talk to someone who is a little further along then she was. We spoke about challenges and how they make us who we are. It is my belief that women need to help lift other women up and writers need to help other writers. When we work together helping one another, giving to another, we also receive a great benefit.
She thanked me for the support but not before giving me the most beautiful blessing.
“May the ground you walk upon be paved in happiness. May all you touch turn to joy. May love always greet you on your path. May you always be met with success.”
A few days later, I received a delightful email from her.
“Great beautiful morning, Chellie. It was like a bath of great air when I met you on Sunday. I’m forever grateful for you listening and speaking with me.” from an email sent to me.
I got a lot out of our conversation, too. I walked away feeling like I made a difference in someone’s existence. Maybe even she and I will be friends one day. What I know for sure, is she made a difference in my life...and it all began with a happy umbrella.
“For each inhale of gratitude an exhale of resistance is released.”
-Jennifer Warren, Musings of the Self and Soul
In those moments of companionship on the bench, we each exhaled some of our life and inhaled thankfulness for one another. I am grateful for this unlikely connection.
I hope that you, the reader, can experience gratitude in all you do and see.
How would your life change if gratitude were in your every moment of your life?
I want to know.
I enjoyed this story and appreciated how you brought in the sights and sounds so I could feel like I was there with you. Wonderful meeting with Denise and thank you for sharing her blessing.
Gratitude has been a huge part of my life for decades now and has gotten me through some rough patches.
This is beautiful! I make a concerted effort to speak with strangers going about my days every day of life and it is truly the greatest joy I find. ❤ Thank you for sharing your observations!