Sitting on a bench, just taking in all the sights, the sounds and the smells. The sun isn't really out, or maybe she is shining in all her glory ... but too many clouds are hiding away her glorious warmth and colour. For now though ... I'm just sitting on this bench, watching (as they say) the world go by, whilst wave after wave washes over the shingle, almost singing its own song.
Rollerblades roll pass, strollers stroll their prams and dogs on leashes wag their tails, all whilst seagulls fly overhead, singing songs in their own formidable ways.
Than my mind wanders off, thinking what it is that brings these people here ... how about that couple that were clearly discussing the dinner party of the night before, or what about the elderly gentleman, all suited up ... but wearing open toe sandals ... maybe he needed someone to tell him it's still winter (never mind the fact that one doesn't really wear sandals with a suit) or the little ones' learning to ride their bikes.
And than there was 'the wheelchair lady'. Obviously used to her life in the rolling chair - the way she maneuvers that thing around is quite incredible. I start asking myself questions as to how and when ... were you born this way ? Was it an accident that caused you to have to make this drastic change ? And yet ... from her face came this sense of peace, not a 'having to accept this' but a real sense of peace. Peace with the way life had treated her, the hand she was dealt ... she seemed so at peace.
I was sitting on this bench because I was feeling far from 'at peace with meself'. A row at home, a job dissatisfaction and a general: Why is I alive kinda feeling. But you ... in your chair ... at peace ...
Thanks for the lesson.
