yesterday i sat on our couch just inside the front door, reading Harry Potter all day. thank the Lord for days off : ) but while i was reading, the door was open letting the sunshine in....
from where i sit, i can just see enough sidewalk to catch pieces of people's stories. as they pass by, i wonder about them as i look intently at the details on their faces, in their stride. a man on a road bike rides by, a boom box bungee-corded underneath the seat. he's bouncin along to some funky beat muttering to himself about a stray dog. i only catch a glimpse of his back, but the way he rides is confident and carefree.
then a triad of dogs gimps by. the first, the tip of the V, is so shaggy that dirt and debris have clung to his coat. following him on the left, a small black and brown chihuahua jogs on three legs. behind the leader to the other side is a dark brown something-or-other. he looks happy enough, but probably hungry.
finally someone passes so i can see their face. she looks tired, run down. dark circles under her eyes indicate that maybe the baby she pushes in a stroller kept her up all night. her thick black hair is swept up in a messy pony tail, her bangs touch her thick lashes. i wonder where she's headed...she's carrying a purse and a plastic bag, only there's not a store in that direction for quite a while.
another group of kids passes by, a fortuitous friendship. first a boy who looks to be 15, bright and happy; next a younger one, maybe 12 or 13, a little round, probably both should be in school. the last to come into view is older, probably 25 + but not their parent. his head is shaved completely bald and has a little soul patch under his bottom lip. he walks with a swagger and commands attention from the other two, though unlikely many others. his confidence seems false....but what do i know? they laugh and briefly glance in my direction.
overhead, i catch sight of helicopters circling the area several times....what are they looking for?
then, sirens wailing.
my friend Mo walks by, looking into the neighbors recycling bin for any left overs he can turn in. the day before, he and Jackie came by our place picking up several bags of plastics, cardboard and cans. they both have wandered their way into my heart. simply by being around i guess.
people drive by, trash flutters with the wind. the train whistles and blows. airplanes fade in and out of view. passersby come and go. the sun rises and sets....
my time here is coming to an end and my heart is torn. i don't know how people do this. pick up and move...establish and reestablish. love and love again....now my heart lies with yet another place, another people. home, here, houston...but He's got the whole world in His hands. including little me and my heart. these wanderers who pass by outside the gate are part of Him too. part of His world. and that has to be enough....
ew of downtown LosAngeles : )
