The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
We’re People-Watching People
His black work shoes are worn on the back at the outside of the heels. It’s such a pronounced missing piece, like the heels were carved into crescents. However, as he crosses the terminal, he never rests on his heels. Perhaps for work he rested in that sole space until it disappeared, but as he moves forward he walks on his toes. He has a bouncing gait that stops at the arch. He watches the idle passengers with interest.
His hair is drizzled in drywall powder. His pant legs as well. He watches an elderly woman in a wheelchair waiting to be guided somewhere. He looks back over his shoulder at a mother toting her toddler son up on her shoulders. A pair of German teenagers toss their hair at the same time. He smiles at this. I smile like an echo.
The frosted employee walks a bit slowly for my taste, for my tempo, but I stay a few paces behind him. I am enjoying observing him in this people-watching. I aim for patience and perspective. I recognize the posture of someone taking note, and I let him direct my gaze to things I really need to see.
–DFW Airport, Texas.
To some of my favorite people to watch– prayers and love to the people of Istanbul. ❤
The Nice Thing About Strangers 