Dear friend,
Bessie was barking her head off when the delivery guy dropped a parcel in our front porch. She’s not much in the habit of barking. When she does the sound seems to come from her belly. It’s a rich deep resonate sound you can feel through the soles of your feet.
The guy was unfazed.
“Hey, I’m just a delivery guy” he joked: smiling as he takes an image with his mobile phone. Proof of delivery.
Today I took the parcel back to the post depot to return it to the vendor.
The thing wasn’t really up to scratch, so it went back.
I put on my blue woollen coat and hat and speed marched through the damp and the dark, the weight of the parcel; its size and shape were oddly comforting. I pass a man who must be maybe ten years my senior. He’s wearing work overalls and carrying something in his hands. He looks tired. His walk tells of a body made stiff and worn out by hard work. He’s moving slowly. Our eyes meet and silently I wish him peace.
Two kids, siblings; sister and brother hop about in front of their home. The girl is glued to her phone. Its glow briefly illuminates her face.
There are people everywhere. A man stops to greet a woman he knows. He smiles and jokes and they hug, bathed in the light from the windows of a cafe where the men eat on one side and the women on another, behind a dividing screen.
A young woman passes by smiling; talking to a friend on her phone.
‘We take delight in one another “ I’m thinking.
This box that I’m carrying I got excited about the contents, but no thing can bring joy the way a hug or a smile from a friend does.
We forget about things; once we have them, eventually taking them for granted. Or they wear out and we replace them for something new.
Maybe we repair them.
But it’s other people that are making me smile tonight.
We all look so small moving around on the concrete city streets.
To be seen and known and accepted. To belong.
Isn’t that at the heart of things?
What we want.
What really matters.
A woman at the train station walks as if asleep. She’s colourfully dressed in what looks like a hooded bath robe. Her shoes are silver. Hair piled up on top of her head she ambles up the curb, one hand held out, asking.
On her face the signs of a serious drug habit.
I watch her and wish her well. Don’t give any money. I feel I know it’s not money she is lacking.
These are trying times.
Wherever you are, look out for one another.
Everyone is looking for love.
A hug and a smile.
A kind word.
An intention.
Can make the world of difference.
Till tomorrow
Love
Mikey
Beautiful. You did save the world. A pleasure and an honour. 💚
It's curious. I was out and about with my son and wife last night. We were walking in the local park and nearby streets looking to enjoy other peoples fireworks, it become something of a tradition.
Earlier that day someone had found a shiny £2 coin at the community garden I work in, they gave it to me, I protested but they insisted so I said ok and slipped it in my pocket.
I seldom have cash on me these days and flipped the coin in pocket throughout the day, something about wasn't mine.
Later that night on our way home we passed by the local mini Sainsbury type shop, a young land was sitting on the pavement. looked like a teenager, hat on the ground. I saw him from a distance, were out in the suburbs and its unusual to see folk begging for cash.
As we got nearer the £2 coin in my pocket became what imagined to be agitated, like it sensed its owner. I felt for the kid, here I was with my small family, out and about on night of mayhem fit for families and young scallywags, and here he was sitting on went ground in the shadows.
I lent down drop the coin in his hat, " Its gonna be ok, man" I said to him. It didn't seem false, I meant it, its is gonna be ok.
I walked on and became aware that my son was (9yrs) was looking at me as if I had just saved the world. He was so proud of me, and let me know it.
I still have that young kid in my heart, and know that although £2 is not a lot, we made a connection, he was seen, I and I felt love for him.. I know that everything is going to be alright..
Thanks for your posts Mike, and for our chats, for walking someway down the road with me.
One step at a time, that's all we're asked to do..
peace
Richard