Just a thought….

Yesterday I had to sit in a waiting area while Russ was at an appointment. I found out later there was a better place to spend my time, but I didn’t know this. I wasn’t feeling the greatest.

I had gotten chilled earlier in the day and am fighting a cold so I tried to sit where there was some sunshine. 

There was literally no good place to sit in this expansive lobby that offered cluster seating here and there but all in proximity of a huge sliding glass door that opened and closed automatically as it sensed comers and goers. 

The lobby serves as an entry to several offices as well as a large training and physical therapy center so there were PLENTY of folks coming and going, going and coming. 

Each approach from outside or in brought a blast of arctic air into the already chilly interior. Sometimes, or really often, the one leaving would activate the sensor and then pause to look for gloves or keys, button the coat or adjust a purse. 

This caused the door to remain open for even longer. Sometimes a person would walk up to the opening door and then backtrack so that it closed again and then pivot and head back out. This created a fanning of air that enhanced the experience dramatically. 

Once the door closed, the environment became somewhat bearable until another pedestrian arrived across the parking lot or someone else made their exit and the process started all over again. 

I sat in my chair kind of marveling at the amount of people who were coming in and out and also musing about something that is just part of life. 

Each entry and exit caused me a bit of discomfort but no one was doing it intentionally. I just happened to have to be in that place at that time (I will know better in the future to seek safer haven) and everyone else was just doing what they had to do to go on with their day. 

Often on the Journey, I am reminded that we inevitably are the recipient of the overflow that attends another person’s walk or we are leaving our own blasts of cold air behind as we do what needs to be done in our own activities. 

We bump up against each other and without intention we cause some discomfort or inconvenience. We are bumped and have to deal with similar. It is part of the human existence. 

For me, I chose to brace myself when I saw someone would be heading in or out, reminded myself that the blast of cold was short and would be over quickly, and oh yeah…began studying the humanity that was passing in front of me as I sat and knitted. 

I saw a blind woman maneuver her way across the lobby with a cane. When she reached the carpeted entry way, she tapped out where the corner was and stood there. A man who was zipping his coat asked if she needed help. She thanked him and said she was waiting for her ride. He said he was doing the same. They bid each other farewell as his arrived before hers. 

I saw people struggling with knee braces and painful steps to get into the physical therapy area. 

I saw a woman pull up in a car and help an older person get into a wheel chair and then push her into the facility before going back to move the car. Soon she was retuning to join her charge.I thought about how she would have to go get the car at some point and repeat the process. 

The discomfort I was feeling began to seem very minor as I focused on why others were having to enter and leave this place. 

It was a good reminder to count my blessings and to remember that there are ways to manage being bumped. I also prayed God will help others to forgive me when I am the bumper. 

Blessings, friends, you are loved.

Stay warm and safe this weekend  <3