Yesterday I went for a long drive, all around. No plans, just left right left, and Sirius Highway Radio as my musical passenger.
*******
In a neighbourhood I had never been to before, a large tree branch crash down on the grass at the exact moment I drove by. For sure I was on the side of Luck that it hadn’t been the branch over the road.
*******
I spotted a deer by a house that I thought was one of those lawn statues. The animal was too perfect and shiny, with a stunning red-brownish like a fox coat. I still questioned it’s authenticity, even after it flinched and darted away.
*******
I took my Jeep on the river road, and splashed in the left over storm puddles.
To my right, the river was calmly swelling from four days of straight rain.
It was not quite up to the road level then, but it was trying. I’d say the line was about 6 feet and counting down?
*******
I stopped at a light in a large downtown intersection. The kind with three lanes on all four sides.
In the middle of each was a person holding up a sign that spoke to their homelessness and asking for help.
The temperature outside was 32C (~90F).
People in cars were handing over cash, and a few gave what looked like leftovers from a fast food lunch. I had neither, and felt fairly shitty for having nothing to offer, not even a bottle of water.
Homelessness is common here in the Summer, when it stays warm throughout the night. When the cold kicks in, many hop the freight trains going South, until next Summer.
*******
That type of desperate vulnerability is shocking to view up close.
In Prague, it’s even more disturbing. There, human beings are knees to pavement, with a bowed head and an outstretched hand. In D.C., it’s tent living in McPherson Square or a person on a sidewalk grate.
It’s easy to look down or away. But I do look. Because looking away does not melt the fact that someone is standing before me begging for mercy.
As it is said, that was someone’s baby once.
I really need to start carrying some cash.
*******
As I was heading back, a guy passed me at what must have been 90 mph. He was going towards a notoriously dangerous bend.
I cannot say exactly how many accidents I have seen there. Maybe 20? And not fender benders either. Air bags deployed and ambulances required. Yeah, it’s a really horrible section.
As he flew out of sight, I said a prayer.
*******
In between the stops and turns, I thought about work, my brothers, my parents, and me being back to England in a few weeks, and hanging out with Marty and Thomas.
I thought about my cousins in Ireland, and how it’s been too long since I last hugged them.
I thought about Greece too. Though, to be fair, Greece is never far from my mind.
Even just last week, my grade 7 teacher from Greece touched base with me. We have been connected for some time now, but not actively. Then on Tuesday, Mr. Dunn (yep, I still call him Mr. Dunn) reached out to say hello.
I think it’s wild that my woodshop/student government teacher from when I was 12 still knows who I am.
*******
So, that was my day yesterday. Well, 2 of my 24 hours that is.
If asked what I did with my weekend, I plan to simply state that I had a lovely gas-guzzling eventless day trip out on Saturday.
But between you, me, and this | | blank space, it was packed with moments and lessons and reflections and colours.
And ended up being a positive way to re-charge my vessel and re-align my priorities.
Happy Sunday.