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Thursday, September 22, 2011

A New Day

First I want to thank everyone who has shown me love, support, and encouragement, I cannot express to you what a difference you all have made in my life. I feel as though I have a group of people walking with me everywhere I go. When I start to get down on myself I am able to think of the words that were said, I am then able to focus a little better and go on. I have been able to smile today and I even took some pictures. I went to a place that is very close to home as I am still fearful a bit of being alone in the car, makes no sense I know but that is a hurdle I will overcome. I am slightly paranoid of running into my son when alone.

I was wandering around, speaking to a park maintenance fella, a very nice man I must add, we visited for a bit while I shot photos; then he found a discarded needle and began to talk of all the addicts that he picks up after in an attempt to protect the public. I was not, unfortunately, shocked, after all I have lived with this as a part of my home and work life for many years. I saw a compassion in him for these people he cleans up after that is not often there. He was not angry or resigned, I would have to say more like hopeful that the world would change someday and he would be out of a job. This is not an attitude I often encounter when it comes to the street people of our community. At this I was shocked.

Then as I climbed down a bunch of rocks that pretended to be a trail to the water in order to take some shots from a different  prospective, to be closer to the water. I saw that there was a man fishing but figured we would not disturb each other much. I was snapping away when my foot slipped, the resulting rock slide drew the attention of the man on the stump; he turned around and said "Hey, why aren't you working anymore?", he had been a customer of mine for years and years. I was very pleasantly surprised.
His name is Brandon, we talked a bit of small talk, then he announced that he had quit drinking a few months back and told me how much healthier and happier he was. His entire family are really good friends with beer, all of them, he proceeded to tell me some stories as to why he quit and what was going on in his life now. He asked me about my kids. well ya know I  tried to give him a short run down on the happenings, nothing serious just the quick news. He didn't by it at all, he asked after Kenny specifically; it all came pouring out of me like some kind of pressure cooker explosion. I must have talked for 20 min., when I was done, his response was  simple. He said, "you did right Jan," Then he put down his pole and climbed down off the stump and gave me a hug. He never said anything more about it, I took some more pictures and started to climb up out of the hole I was in, see, I came down the wrong way, figured I would go back the same way, not so easy. Brandon jumped over and gave me his hand to lean on and said it again.

It was a good place to go today.

20 comments:

  1. It is sometimes healing to talk to some stranger....because they don't judge us.Hugs.

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  2. Yes I agree, loves to you and thankyou for hugs.

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  3. Oh I can't tell you how deeply this touched me, Jan. God has a way of reaching out to us to confirm actions that we've taken for our good and through that the good of the people we love - and the world as a whole. Let me add my two hugs to Brandon's two. You're a wonderful soul, Jan and you'll come through this time beautifully. Love you.

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  4. Jan this is exceptionally moving. I really like what Janu said. Maybe today you just needed that listening ear. You take care and have a really good day today. Much love to you.

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  5. Wow!
    his response was simple. He said, "you did right Jan,"
    Reminds me of something I say to people when they are down on themselves:
    You did the best you could w/the tolls you had available.

    You can do more. You can only do what you can do. You can't the way things are. You can't change the past. You can only change your reaction.

    I understand these sound like platitudes, like cliches, but if you put them into action, your entire life can turn around. I changed so much about myself by using these thoughts. So can you.

    Be well!
    --
    Chris

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  6. I have a lump in my throat Jan! Wow, sometimes we meet people in the strangest places and the manage to help us through the day!

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  7. Great post. It's always refreshing to see such compassion, as you did with the maintence guy at the park, in others. That's what gives me hope for this world :)

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  8. Sometimes Jan, you find the best things in the least expected places :)

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  9. I believe in signs and God gave you one today. You are blessed. Hugs to you...

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  10. This is really moving,and touching...God bless u Jan...always.

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  11. Interesting heartfelt story...Thanks for sharing :)

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  12. Jan, I believe that God sends us angels in human form just in the moments we need them. Encountering two in the same afternoon is miraculous!
    Your post was so touching, so heartfelt, my friend; thank you for sharing!

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  13. Whenever we need a friend, they can come to us in the most unexpected places and ways. A very moving read. Thank you

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  14. Brandon was there at the right moment - I love when that kind of thing happens.

    Big hugs to you, Jan!

    Marie

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  15. Thank you all so much. My healing has begun on a positive note. I have been blessed.

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  16. Jan, sending prayers for healing your way. Thank you for the comment that you left on my blog post recently. Blessings.

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  17. Thanks Pat, It has been a journey. Guess you know that.

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  18. You never know when you touch a life or when someone touches yours..YOU have touched my life...As always...OXOOXOXOXOXO

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  19. As you have touched mine Bonnie. Love to you <3<3<3

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