Have you ever been walking down the street and heard a whistle carry over to your ears from a short distance? In my life when that has happened, I won’t look, not because I am offended, but because I could not deal with the embarrassment if I was mistaken and the whistle was not for me, but the beautiful woman behind me. Over the years, I developed a way of walking down the street without ever looking at anyone because if I recognized a person I knew, I would of course want to wave or say hi. However, sometimes they did not recognize me, not responding to my greeting, or worse, looking at me as if I was crazy. To avoid such awkward situations, walking without seeing was the answer.
In order to get my attention, one has to make it obvious it is me they are talking to, or if I’m lucky, whistling at. Otherwise I create a bubble of anonymity around myself; my protective barrier. Today as I walked home from Apueala carrying my heavy bags, looking down so as not to catch anyone’s eye, I made my way. There was an older gentleman standing in the street, his big arm movements and loud comments grabbing my attention. I looked up. He was talking to me in spanish, his ams expressive, a smile on his face as he looked right at me letting me know he had been watching me. Then he pursed his lips together as if blowing me a kiss, all the while (I assume) expressing his admiration. I began to giggle, this sort of thing truly embarrasses me, and my lack of confidence inspires doubt in the sincerity. Another man, as I bent down to pick up my bags, waved and said hello, putting his hand on my waist as he walked past me. Something like that just does not happen in Canada – it made me smile.
I thought as I walked home, how such interactions bring happiness to ones day. Isn’t this true? When a complete stranger admires you, does it not fill your spirit with joy, especially when you are not familiar with such things? My step was lighter as I bounced down the hill, grateful for harmless attention which made me feel less alone in the world. It really is the simple and unexpected things which make the difference. Possibility becomes something you think about – what if…….
It’s Monday morning, the sun is shining, it is a beautiful day. Sitting here typing this, I can feel a slightly cool breeze, as I listen to the birds sing their joyous song, and I am reminded of the very early summer mornings back home. For a moment, I drift back to Maple Creek, a new day, no mistakes. There is nothing quite like that fresh morning air as you are waking, eyes not open, but the sounds of activity in your yard reaching your ears. The cool floor felt with your bare feet as you head for the window to see the new day. I Love ❤️ summer!!! In 10 days I will have been here one year, something unimaginable before all the planning and then actually arriving here. I have many moments when I feel as if I have always been here, the life in Canada only a dream. Isn’t that interesting? How we can go from being completely afraid to familiarity in so short a time? I think sometimes I did not really exist before coming here to this valley, I was just a shadow of myself, my life revolving around getting through another day.
I wonder what wonderful things can be discovered this week…..
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