Leap year day, an extra one. How can I use it as a gift? I
did get out to walk yesterday. Slow, but walking nonetheless. I know today will
be better and I can sprinkle kindness or at least smile more today. It’s senior
center duty and I’m looking forward to going. The birthday greeting made me
aware of my place there and I intend to honor that place. Cillay’s note will be
in the mail this morning. Life in progress.
On Leap Year Day, I suggested that we perform random acts of
kindness. Little did I know what would happen. First a confession: I have a problem
with the homeless people in my neighborhood. The parade from liquor store to
camp sites goes on all the time. Forty ounce breakfasts, followed by forty
ounce lunches, followed by two forty ounce dinners plus cigarettes, junk food,
and candy. I can attest to that when I clean up my yard. My friend Gene told me
that compassion for the homeless would be good for my soul. Now, February 29th:
On my morning walk when a homeless guy approaches. I say Good Morning and
smile. He turns around and begins to walk with me. “Do you see me?” Sure. “Do
you hear me?” Sure. “I think I’m invisible.” No. I see you and hear you.
Everybody feels invisible sometimes. “Do you have to pinch yourself?” Maybe,
once in a while. He rambles on as we walk, I mutter uh-huh and look his way
often enough to let him know I see him and hear him. All the way to the traffic
signal where I will turn and he will proceed straight. He says, “Now I don’t
feel lonely.”
