Meeting people these days
His name was Joel,
divorced, age 71, he told me he purchased his house, that's all he got from the divorce,
but luckily it was in a prized part of town and is worth a lot more than what he paid.
He said, he still works, but from home. He loves where he lives, and he is apolitical.
Joel, if that's what his real name is, I don't really know, said, I don't expect much from life
anymore, it's just me and my old dog, and I won't mention the dogs name, but she was a nice
dog, kind of looked like a sheep herder's dog, I'll call her Sally, that's what Joel called her.
Anyway, just meeting this fellow, saying hi, like one does, me and my dog walking in the same parkway,
trying to be nice and personable, this guy Joel tells me all about his life these days.
And I thought, man that's cool and quaint. Maybe there's something to learn here.
Anyway, after about half an hour transpires, and my dog is really bored on her leash and all.
This kind of thing happens all across the US these days like it's almost happenstance.
We all come across some person without really getting to know them because we are a bit afraid to really reach out.
And then, they start a chattering on and on, you know telling you all about their life and trying not to get too political, and their
story turns this way and that, and you can relate here and there, and you don't exactly connect, but still, you can kind of relate.
And the only thing you think is this. Next time;
When I see this guy, his name is Joel, and his dog Sally, or Sam, I need to say hi.
And, smile or at least wave.