stay to the right

Stay to the right. It's a phrase that could keep us all from some potentially dangerous and/or embarrassing situations. For example, when the ambulance is flying down the road with it's lights on and sirens blaring...stay to the right. When you are on the highway and you aren't passing someone...stay to the right. When you're going in for that first kiss...stay to the right. Finally, when you are at the grocery store, like I was today, and someone is approaching you with a fully loaded cart...stay to the right. It would just make everything so much easier.

a hug

On Friday night I spent the evening with a few other folks handing out food and socks and clothing to homeless people on the streets and in the alley's of Vancouver. One pair offered us a laptop. Another man offered his life story. Another man we found binning had piercingly beautiful eyes. I think if he shaved off his beard he would be one of those men you look at twice. As the evening came to an end we approached a couple of guys who both had overflowing carts likely containing all of their worldly possessions. I asked one of them if he wanted a pair of socks which he took. He then looked at me and said, "Can I have a hug?" To which I responded, "no". He said, "aw come on" and something inside of me broke. "Okay". So I hugged him. Rather, he hugged me. Surprisingly he smelled like cologne. The polite amount of time past and I released my arms to back away and he kept hugging. At first a little bit of panic went through me and I said, "you can let go now." He said, "uh huh". But he didn't let go. One of the other girls I was with said, "hey! let her go." Reluctantly he released me. "thanks." "you're welcome." I wonder how often he gets hugged? How often does he even have someone touch him in a positive way?

My heart is a little sad that my first response was "no". I'm sad that I have been conditioned by society and my humanity to resist that from someone like him. A homeless person who has chosen out of circumstance or necessity to live outside the realm of normalcy. At least what most would consider normal. He is a person who is of equal value to me and you. He has the same blood and organs as anyone else. He likely desires many of the same things you and I desire. To be loved and cared for. He has a soul and a spirit. He is valuable simply because he is. Had I chosen not to hug him I would have reinforced to him that he is undesirable and unworthy when in fact the opposite is true. Sadly, I hesitated. Gladly, he was hugged. I hope I embrace the next opportunity with a resounding yes. Yes! I will hug you or feed you or clothe you or visit you because you are and that is enough.

pray

In the movie Shadowlands, which is about C.S. Lewis' twilight romance with Joy Gresham, he says something profound about prayer. He says, "I pray because I have to. I pray because I have no other choice. Prayer doesn't change God, it changes me." This statement resonated with my soul because it's so true. Praying brings us into alignment with the Almighty. It calms our souls and directs our paths. It helps us to understand what is happening presently and to give us hope for the future. It's what Philippians says, "the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

cupcake

Today, two of my coworkers and I got into the patient transport elevator after making a trip to Starbuck's. All three of us had steaming cups of coffee that filled the elevator with a fantastic aroma. One of my coworkers had also purchased a cupcake. There was a patient on a stretcher who looked up at me with some longing. I said, "I'm sorry we're on the elevator with this wonderful smelling stuff." He said, "It does smell good but I'd want donuts with my coffee." "Well, all we've got is a cupcake." "Honey, you're the only cupcake on this elevator." Big grin and a wink from the stretcher. Big grin and a thank you from me.

posting request

Certain friends have noted that it has been a few days since my last post. I do not think I have anything nearly as witty to say as my friend Beth and her suggestions of butterscotch pranks. I am not sure I have anything witty to say at all. However, because certain friends want me to post I think I will report a couple of scores from recently played games. I only do this because I continue to be on the longest losing streak in Monopoly against said friends. I bet I could be in The Guiness Book of World Records for successive losses at Monopoly. We should be keeping better tally. I digress. A couple of weeks ago I won Ticket to Ride with 156 points. My friend, who laughs maniacally when it is clear I will lose at Monopoly again, only got 81 points. Please note that my score came close to doubling his. Tonight, while playing Scrabble with the other friend I got 312 points and she got 260. I love that I have this blog where these scores will be catalogued forever.

crosswalk

About 840 this morning I crossed the street near an elementary school. A girl around 12 years old held out a stop sign so I could cross the street safely. I looked at her and said, "thank you." Then I chuckled to myself. What a great moment at the beginning of my day.