Sunday thoughts

Sunday draws to a close.  For those of us with the traditional weekends off bands are playing, festivals, bar specials and car shows are always about in full force. 

These are the perfect times to get out meet up with friends,  make new ones,  or just explore what is outside this week.

For me depending on the weekend it's sometimes the above and other times it's to people watch.  Yes people watch.  Walk alone,  camera in hand,  and just look around and see what people are doing.  As I'm sure a few have you have done the same but have you ever made up conversations? People on first dates,  business women and men sitting at the table after work.  It's fun definitely need to try it.

For those of you who know me i can spark up a conversation with just about anyone.  I talk to dozens of people a day at work.  Hundreds by the weekend.  It my job yes.  But in a sense it's also to learn about people. Read,  listen,  and process.  I've been doing it for years.  Offering words of advise,  positive thoughts and on occasion harsh truths.  But of course I am my own worst critic.

This weekend was no different. One of the things I want you to understand is that no matter how hard things are you can always be something to someone. Today I was at the river taking some pictures. Enjoying watching the parents and kids splashing in the fountain and I sat down on one of the benches next to an older man. Normal enough shorts,  collared shirt, white shorts and shockingly even whiter socks pulled all the way up of course. He was smiling and let out a laugh as a few of the kids were getting surprised by the spouts of water.

After a couple minutes I glance over and said hello.  He nodded me with a smile.  Now I could have thought,  "oh great... Weirdo"  but I simply asked him if his grandkids were out playing in the water. With a laugh he shook his head no.  I just nodded and sat for a moment kind of watching him out of the corner of my eye at his honest happiness.  It was not the same as someone who had no purpose.  Nor of being a creep. He was just truly happy.

I can only assume he caught on to my trying to figure out what it was when he leaned over.

"My wife and I met in Peoria 60 years ago. We raised our son here and watched as he grew up.  Finish college and get taken quickly after. Killed in an accident when driving back from college.  My wife and I would come down here and watch the kids play from time to time and picture them as our grandkids. "

I looked over expressed my condolences as well as commented on how nice they did that. 

"My wife passed last year." he continued.  "Today would have been our 55th anniversary.  I could go to graveside and mourned but this seems like what she would have wanted me to do."

I was speechless.  Hearing something so heartfelt and meaningful.  I could only just picture he and is wife sitting there together and enjoying their joy and laugher.  So I stood up and sat down next to the beach and he glanced over and smiled. I could not bring myself to leave so I sat and laughed and smiled with him enjoying the day with a smile on my face.

After about an hour of this he stood to leave and I glanced over and nodded to say goodbye.  His response was simple but so amazing.

"No thank you.  I was picturing my son sitting there with you.  In the years we have come here we never had been asked.  It was good talking. " With that he shook my hand and left.