So, the other day, I went to the "old" mall with my daughter. The town where I live has a much newer, outdoor mall that was built about 4 years ago. This story takes place in the old, run down mall. It’s not as popular but still has a certain charm. I don’t shop there much anymore but decided to visit about a week ago.
My daughter and I walked around and shopped for about an hour and she wanted to go to this little place that caters to the tween generation. I decided to sit on the bench just outside the shop and wait for her. I took the opportunity to people watch. This is a really great hobby by the way. If you’ve never tried it, you should do yourself the favor – even if it’s just once. You would be surprised at the almost endless humor that can be found in the simple things. Very interesting to say the least...
So, there I am, sitting in the mall, watching everyone walk by. The beauty of it is, most folks are oblivious and the entertainment is free. You see people in their natural state of mind doing normal things in a comfortable setting. I was probably sitting there for no more than 30 minutes but I gathered an abundance of information. However, this people watching episode wasn't as funny for me...
I watched an entire dramatic saga of a boyfriend/girlfriend breakup within a group of (what looked like) 13 year olds. It was intense and premeditated. The boyfriend was laughing and other girls were hanging all over him as the girlfriend stormed off to cry in the restroom.
There was a mother of 4 very small babies who looked like she could use a vacation. Her appearance was tattered and tired looking. I could see her frustration and stress in her eyes. At the same time, she had incredibly calm words and hands with her little ones as she hurried past me. I noticed the smallest baby lost a shoe and the oldest, no more than 4, had sticky red stuff all over his hands, face and shirt. I wondered if these were the little things the mother was ignoring so she could focus on bigger issues...or maybe she didn’t notice at all.
A young couple with a little boy leisurely walked over in my direction. There was a sense of distance between them. I overheard the man tell the woman to “shut the hell up, you’re not getting the damn phone back” as he shot a cold glare over at her. The little boy seemed to be in his own world as he trailed behind. I wondered if the boy already mastered the art of losing himself in an imaginary place to block out the chaos at home.
I realized my eyes were following the little boy. My heart went out to him. About the time I started to dwell on feeling sorry for him....it happened.
cont'
This is a poem, a poem for you
No other could measure or be more true
I once thought this was a dream
But now it seems it will never be
You entered my world like a warm sweet wind
My heart is now on the mend
God knows I want this to work, to last
But it's all fading and becoming the past
Why did I let my guard down?
Why couldn't I see?
The beautiful man before me must be set free
My tears are in vain, in secret and a waste
I now feel sorrow and displaced
When will it be my turn?
When will I learn?
To be more impassive and more stern
This is a poem, a poem for you
No other could measure or be more true...
I would absolutely adore having a penpal. I think this is a dying method of communication and it's a shame. Modern technology is brilliant! I love computers! I also love receiving a letter in the mail - but I never do.
Computers have taken over and we are losing the art of writing. Children and teens are being taught the latest and greatest, which there is nothing wrong with that. I just hate to see the whole penpal idea, (the real penpal...with pen and paper) go down the drain. When I was growing up, I had a penpal for many years. It was so exciting to receive her letters in the mail. I miss that. I also miss love letters from that special man. Love letters from a man is so incredibly romantic. Some may think it's old fashioned but that's me. A letter can totally make my heart sing for days or longer! An email is good, but email feels cold and has less feeling compared to the hand written letter. I have saved almost every letter ever written to me. Can't say the same thing for email...
I love this quote. I understood it the day my daughter was born. I realized that God gave me the ability to love someone else more than I love myself. What do you think?
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
-Les Miserables
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