Today was no different. I headed out to fulfill my longing for pancakes, the
light fluffy kind that never seem to fill, but always satisfy. It was a
comfortable Fall morning and actually uneventful right through breakfast. Then
just as I got up to leave, an older woman, perhaps late 60's early 70's, stood
up in front of me and slowly headed to the register. I've been trying to slow
myself down to let the world catch up with me so this was first of all a lesson
in patience. She fumbled for her bill and exact change and chatted with the
young cashier. I was in no hurry. Then I paid my bill and actually headed out
the door before her. She was still fidgeting with her purse. As I turned around
at the door I spotted her approach and decided to wait to hold the door for her.
"Thank you young man," she said. Being called a "young man" was certainly worth
the wait.
As we exited the building she proclaimed this to be a beautiful day and I
agreed. "Except," she said, "there are no clouds in the sky. I love clouds."
Most people consider a cloudy day to be dreary and depressing. But this
wonderful lady loved the clouds. She takes pictures of them through her picture
window over looking the lake. She has collected hundreds of them. Especially
those incredible moments at sunset.
I needed her today. I commented to my wife about the lack of friends to share
time with during the day so God sent me one. I could sense that she too was
looking for a conversation. She never stopped talking. She had this incredible
ability to connect stories one to another. The clouds reminded her of the
beautiful yard she has and the wedding receptions held on her property in
absolutely perfect weather each time. Of course that thought connected her
memory to her husband who shortly after attending their daughter's wedding, died
from cancer. He was a miracle of sorts. As sick as he was he walked her down the
aisle and even danced. Then her daughter, her beautiful daughter of 39 years
died from ovarian cancer.
We had spoken for nearly 20 minutes in the parking lot without even sharing our
names until I thanked her and offered her my business card. "Gerri!" I'm
guessing short for Geraldine touched my life today. I told her she was my gift
for today. She nearly started to cry.
I learned about clouds today. There are clouds that darken our soul like the
loss of her daughter and husband. Then there are clouds that brighten our view
of the world ever changing right before our eyes in the form of a sunset.
Stop today and look for the clouds in your life. The ones that bring joy and a
smile to your face.
By the way. At the end of the 20 minute conversation the perfectly clear blue
sky suddenly transformed itself with the most incredible hand drawn streams of
white puffy clouds. "They look like birds.," she said.
They did. As my heart took flight and my soul thanked God for clouds.
I can't wait for tomorrow. They are forecasting "partly cloudy skies." "I
believe in you!"
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com Copyright (c)
2003, Bob Perks. I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when
copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached along with
this notice. Use of this story for commercial purposes is prohibited without
direct permission from the author.
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