Long Game

You ever have someone do something for you unexpected and yet totally on the mark? I’m not talking about letting you go first at a stop sign or the grocery store line, though those moments are nice too. I mean a total stranger who–for no reason other than simply wanting to make things right–gives you something that you’ve wanted, tried for, and then reluctantly let go of because, well, you can’t have everything you want, and that is life. Something that really makes no diff to anyone but you but you can’t seem to reach it? Sort of like wanting your grandmother’s vase that vanished the last week or her life, and you know it’s somewhere because someone thought it went with their drapes, not knowing that you have memories tied to it of cutting flowers with her and arranging them every time you went to visit? And then, someone just . . . hands it to you because they knew it meant something to you?

Yeah, I had one of those days last week/month, and though it doesn’t have anything to do with vases or fond memories, it still has that feeling of this-is-important-to-me, why-do-you-even-want-it? about it.

I’ve always been a big believer in paying it forward when you can, and though lately it feels like I’ve been focused very closely on my bellybutton, so to speak, this was a reminder that though Slipknot is right about some people being S*it, that there are still people who are knights in shining armor, gallivanting about the desolate wasteland with a bright sword of power.

So Bill, if you read this, know that even though a nasty antagonist in my next series has your name (Really! His name has been Bill for over a year now.) that you will always be one of my heros, standing on a hill beside your white horse with your sword held high and bright. Thank you. My faith in humanity is refreshed.