What you put out…comes back to you

This was a blog I wrote over a year ago.  After rereading it, I felt compelled to publish it again…

I’ve known that for many years now. If you’re putting out nothing but negative energy, that’s what you receive in return. It isn’t always easy, but I honestly make an effort to always be positive about everything. And my life has been filled with my Creator sending me wonderfully positive things! This morning I met Pat.

I assume her name was Patricia, but we never really got that far. We didn’t really have to. Heck, we’d spoken deeply for almost 45 minutes before the “name exchange” even came up. It was only about 10:50AM but I was hungry. I pulled into a local McDonald’s hoping to find them still serving breakfast sandwiches, but alas, I was only able to order lunch. I almost forgot. When I arrived at McDonald’s, I located a sit at one of the high-top bar tables that has about 8 seats around it. I chose the spot because of its proximity to a power outlet. I like to plug-in my laptop and check emails during my lunch. And McDonald’s has free wi-fi. I sat down my bag, pushed in the seat, and wandered up to the counter to order my meal.

Upon returning I noticed a distinguished looking older woman sitting in the chair right next to my bag. I will admit I considered moving all together, because after all, “did she not see my bag sitting there?” But she smiled, and I decided to stay. I chewed on my dollar McDouble as she spooned out her yogurt parfait and read the Washington Post when out the blue she asked, “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” I replied, “Not at all!” She proceed to tell me about this study in Washington regarding new Malaria medications. It seems a pharmaceutical company was hiring people to be injected with malaria so they can then try out these new medications on them. She asked, “Who would do that?” She laughed. I said, “Well, I wouldn’t but I’m sure there are people who need money that would jump at the chance.” And that was it. The beginning of what would be an hour lunch…Pat and me…talking about life.

Pat’s husband died just over a year ago. She’s a retired teacher with one daughter and two sons. Her sons, my age, don’t speak to each other and they are constantly arguing with her. Pat’s own brother is constantly yelling at her too. She asked, “What am I doing wrong?” I could have politely excused myself, but I felt compelled to stay…listen.

What a glorious hour it was. We both laughed…we both teared up…we both shook our heads and knew this was not a chance meeting. I hope in some way I helped her. Perhaps just by listening I did. She thanked me over and over again. But it was I who should be thanking her. I’m so thankful to have had that experience. And it reaffirms that mantra…what you think…so you are. I’m thinking I really love listening…and helping others. And I can’t wait to see who crosses my path next!

Hurricane and other things.

The latest forecast says that “Earl’s eye” will most likely miss the Eastern Coast of the United States. That’s a good thing. But I was so hoping a little of his moisture would trip on inland and sprinkle itself on the straw that was once my lawn. Alas, I do believe it’s not to be this time around.

The sign on bank in town read, 101 degrees when I passed at last evening. When I arrived home, Carolyn said, “I’m headed out to the deck for awhile.” I responded, “I really need some time to change, and cool off before venturing out there again.” She laughed and said, “It’s not that hot…is it?”

15 minutes later, we’re sitting out on the deck and she exclaims, “You’re right! It’s hot! I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it!” Power of suggestion? Or was is simply that she was so immersed in her reupholstering project she didn’t even notice. For the last 7 days she’s been busy reupholstering two high wing back chairs we bought a a yard sale for 7 dollars. It was a tough job, but they turned out beautiful! I do love her so much. She has the ability to see beauty in things, for what the “can” be. She does that in life too. It reminds me of a time when we were first dating. She was living in a downtown apartment, and I was there. I noticed in the corner a half stripped chair she was reupholstering. I remember thinking, “That’s a piece of junk.” After a little conversation I realized that it’s not what outside that matters it’s what’s inside. We decided to sit down and write a song together. The words are as follows:

It’s not skin deep that matters,

It’s more than that its certain.

Hidden deep beneath a shell,

covered with an ag-ed curtain.

Is a life that wants to live.

Has so much more to give.

You’ve uncovered a life from nothing

But that’s not what you saw.

You knew what it could be

Once you brought down it’s walls.

So all could see its beauty.

So we see it as you see.

Something old, some say it’s over,

Some say it’s worth keeping.

We need to dig a little deeper.

There’s beauty to discover.