A week or so ago I told the story of how I stood in line waiting to audition for the T.V. show, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. I really didn't want anyone to know but my luck put me in the line right next to a reporter from The Oregonian sent by her editor to write about the experience of trying to get on Millionaire. The next day she wrote a column about the experience and mentioned yours truly and others that she shared the almost eight hours of standing in line with. The reporter was young and beautiful and still writes for The Oregonian. Her name was Inara Verzemnieks. You can read some of her current stuff by going to Oregonlive.com and search Inara. The ending paragraph of the Millonaire column was:
"And then I think, really, who wants to be a millionaire? Or at least on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."Give me a few hours on the sidewalk, any day, talking to the Myras and the Marks and the Bills and the Norms listening to their stories, hearing about their lives, trying to make sense of the universe, and knowing that there is no right or wrong to the order of it all, there really is no final answer."
That paragraph got me thinking about the people we meet in our lives. Sometimes we see them once, like the people I met on that street that day, but we still remember them. With the Internet now there are people we have never met that have become important to us and impacted our lives. Like the Donas, the Kims, the Mary Zs, the Kayes, the Snugs, the Symplys. Those that we have met several times but haven't seen for a while like the Lisas, Drs, The Marys, the Ellens, The Pats, The Sians,, The Bevs, the England Diane, the Texas Diane, the Julias, Shirley, Tricia and so many more. But then there are those that we do see weekly but we will never socialize with but they become an important part of our lives and if they disappeared we would miss them. Four of the last mentioned people come quickly to mind.
First up is my Korean Dry Cleaner. I see him once a week. Just a very nice man. He says "You walk. You walk a lot." "You lose weight. You look Good." Then the day after election day he gives my a high five and hug because he knew we were both rooting for the same guy, If he disappeared out of my life I would miss him.
Next up is the older married couple that I run into many mornings on my morning walk. Always holding hands, always smiling, always showing a tremendous amount of love to each other. Always a kind word to say to me. I would miss them too
Then there is the young gas station attendant that pumps my gas. Some of you probably don't know it but in Oregon and New Jersey it is against the law to pump your own gas. The young man that pumps my gas is maybe twenty years old. If I'm wearing a suit he will shout "looking good, great suit." If I am wearing a sweater "great sweater, I want to dress like you." It always makes me feel good but if he is looking at me as a fashion guru he is barking up the wrong tree! I never wear designer clothes, heck I don't even know who the designers are. I just buy what I like and what feels good. Still I would miss the young man.
OK, tell me about the people you run into on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, that you would miss if they suddenly disappeared!
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14 comments:
A place where one isn't allowed -- expected! -- to pump their own gas boggles my mind!
Gosh, you made me think. And there are several I'd miss, people who aren't "friends" but a part of the fabric of life. My line dance instructor, who's such a bubbly and positive person. The manager at the grocery, who always says 'Hi' and inquires about Mom. Especially the pharmacist, who watches Mom's medications like a hawk and has been so helpful over the years. Her retina specialist, who treats her as a person, rather than a patient, and is very patient with me and very helpful to me about Mom's condition. A couple of the regulars at the pool, who worry when I don't show up and vice versa. Himself's ham-buddy, much younger than us, who last week agreed to adopt me as his second "mom" (because I always feed him (g)).
Working at home, neighbors an acre away, dropping FUlir classes the last couple years means close "real life' friends are few and far between, but the people metnioned above -- and others I've probably left out -- make life a joy and make one feel cared for. While we're not close friends, I supsect that there are several I cold go to in time of crises and find help.
I'm a firm believer in the thought that God brings to you those you need or who need you at the proper time.I wish everyone was as fortunate as you and I seem to be in the people who are part of the fabric of our lives, in whatever manner.
For years, when I would drive the kids to school in the morning, I would see an older couple walking. No matter how awful the weather, they were always out. She was up ahead, he was hobbling behind with a cane. I knew where they lived, and one day the house next to them burned in a terrible fire. Some of their windows got broken and I worried about them quite a bit, until I saw them out walking again.
This year, I'm driving to school much earlier, so I haven't seen them in months. I have never spoken to them, but I miss seeing them.
Anybody in our water exercise class - if somebody knows he/she is going to miss even one class, he/she needs to tell somebody, so we don't worry. This group meshed very quickly into a tight, but not exclusive, and very welcoming, unit. Special!
Not allowed to pump your own gas! I knew that, but every time I hear it, my mind boggles.
At first, I thought there weren't many people in the category you mention, but when I really thought about it, there are quite a few, many of whom I don't really see that often, but would miss a lot if they weren't there. My mechanic, my pharmacist, my mail carrier. A few friends from "the old days" that resurface once in a blue moon, the people in my book and investment groups that I only see once a month but talk to now and then and consider to be friends. My online group of friends, especially those I've met also in what we laughingly call real life. I'd miss them a lot if they weren't there.
And for the last year and a half, the caregivers where my mom lives. I've gotten to know about their lives to varying degrees and to be fond of all of them. They do come and go, and every time one leaves for another job, I miss her. Or him. They become a lot like family when they're caring for your family.
Hi Dr
The one problem with not pumping your own gas is how clueless you are when you are in a state where you have to pump your own gas, like Oregon or California. You have to have someone show you how to do it!
The Ham buddy is lucky to have you as an adopted mom!
I also believe people are put in our lives for a reason. Maybe others are as fortunate as you and I but they don't quite realize it yet!
Bill
Hi Mary
So nice to see you post here and I hope things are good with you and yours!
I'd like that couple!
Bill
Hi Mary Z
It is always a good day for me when both Marys post!
I understand about the class bonding because our comedy class did the same thing. Kind of the same boat and it unites you. It is special.
Bill
Hi Pat
They keep putting measures on the ballot to allow us to pump our own gas but the measure keeps getting defeated.
Your the second one that mentioned the pharmacist. Book clubs and investment clubs do bond.
Some of our caregivers had also become like family.
Bill
Boy, this is a tough one. I'm not what you call "sociable" really. Besides family, I can't think of a soul I would miss except Venom, Dona, and you. I have people I converse with on my daily runs here and there but no one I would say I would not notice if they were there or not. Sad, isn't it? Wait, I can say I do miss Vicky's old teacher that retired last year. She was the best!
Hi Symply
I think you not being social is more of a product of you being busy that you being anti-social, in my humble opinion.
Yes you can say Vicky's retired teacher.
And I would miss you too.
Bill
I work for a newspaper and my office building also houses other newspapers within the group. When I first started my current shift, an elderly guy would usually get off the bus when I did, and together we would walk to the office building from the bus stop. It turned out that he worked for one of the Chinese papers in the building.
He had almost no English and I have limited Mandarin, so we mostly just nodded and smiled. We couldn't walk to the office in silence, we were after all, working for the same organisation and were colleagues, broadly speaking. Sometimes, he would try to start a conversation but it was usually given up because we couldn't manage the language divide.
In time, I mentally referred to him as the Smiley White Haired Guy. And every time I got on the bus, I'd look to see if he was on it. One day, he wasn't. And for a long time after that, I didn't see him. Then one day, there he was. He told me that he had reached retirement age and his paper didn't want to re-employ him even though he wasn't ready to retire. He was going back to the office that day to collect his last cheque with the retirement benefits.
And I never saw him again. This was two years ago. I didn't think I would miss him if he suddenly disappeared. But I find myself looking out for him on the bus still. And I still don't know his name.
Hi There Snug
I love the story about the man. But how awful it is that he wasn't allowed to work as long as he wanted.
It is amazing how we connect with certain people.
Bill
Hey Bill! As you know my life is hectic and I'm always on the move...I have special people with whom I work and others I come in contact with briefly who hold a special place in my heart. Even though we have only met once in person, I still look up your blog and hearing from you non the MB..The internet helps me stay in touch even though I travel quite a bit!
Hi There Lisa
How is one of my favorites? I do miss you and worry about you when we don't hear from you for a while.
Hope things we eventaully ease up for you!
Bill
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