I went today to make visits to classrooms. Observing teachers is very enjoyable to me and it keeps me in touch with the 'world'. As I awaited the 12:30 clock today, I cruised down Bellfort and pulled into a Fiesta parking lot hoping I could pick up a signal for my Notebook.
Alas, not so. However, as I backed out of my distant parking space, something caught the corner of my eye. At the edge of the curb sat an aged, weather-beaten, senior adult woman. She was perched on the seat of her walker. From the blue carry bag that sat at her feet, she slowly reached inside to pull from it...a half full bottle of syrup.
Slowly and carefully she examined the contents, turning it all the way around and finishing with a gentle pat on the bottle's side. Carefully, she replaced the trashed syrup in her blue bag and began to 'fish' for another prize.
Sadness overwhelmed me as I pulled into the street to return to the campus for my visit. My thoughts rumbled and it dawned on me that we are never as 'bad off' as we sometimes allow ourselves to believe.
In the midst of gray, drizzly day...people are out searching for life. They have far less than many Americans and they are striving to survive. My main thought was shame on America. Why are so many of our own people suffering so terribly.
With the picture of that feeble, elderly shape hovering over that blue bag, I suddenly realized that a hiccup now and again means nothing. It made me even more grateful for my surgery and new lease on a good life.
Nope, I don't have all the money in the world, but I have my health back again. Folks, that accounts for everything. I take tremendous pride in striding up a sidewalk, climbing the steps to the entry and walking confidently and quickly down the school halls.
Life is what we make it or, sometimes, allow it to be. Seeing some of the sites in the somewhat 'ghetto' areas of Houston, I have a new lease of life. Don't sweat the small stuff, dance in the rain and hesitate while the wind wafts through you hair and mind.
Make it a good day or not...the choice is YOURS.
About Me
- txspatter
- Humble, Texas, United States
- Retired educator, retired freelance photographer, retired life. I loved the classroom, laughter of the students, small successes that made them glow and the feeling of 'family' among faculty. However, job done and on to new things. Life was on 'cruise control' until March, 2004...and then, there was a halting screech, lung and heart issues and physicians galore. But, I beat the odds and HERE I AM...STILL HUFFIN' AND PUFFIN'!!! Let's see where this leads.....
