Life - a Glimpse

 If I wouldn't return to any place where something embarrassing has happened to me, there wouldn't be many places left that I could go to.

Another place would have been added to that list this morning.

Everything was uneventful until it was time to get my coat and leave. I was holding my keys in my left hand and without thinking I tried to slide it into my left coat sleeve, only it got stuck midway.

I had my right hand posed ready to slip into my right sleeve. It grew a mind of its own and went plowing into its sleeve instead of helping my left out of the bind it was in. The situation became much worse when halfway into its sleeve one of my nails decided that now would be a good time to tear and catch on the seam.

So there I was, both arms stuck in awkward positions halfway into their respective sleeves, neither of them showing any inclination of releasing. I stood their flapping trying to free myself. The only thing missing from the scene were some seagull noises.

In Aisle Two

     It seems every time I go grocery shopping there is something that happens that I can relate to the family at the dinner table that evening. 
    Today's little experience wasn't funny, embarrassing, or frustrating. Instead it was one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced in a grocery store.
    I was rapidly checking things off my list, but as I turned the corner into aisle two, the scene in front of me made me stop and simply watch.
    A sweet, little, elderly lady was walking up the center of the aisle. She was holding her pink clutch in front of her like a bouquet, and walking in the slow measured steps of a bride walking down the aisle. The far away look in her eyes made it evident she was not seeing her actual surroundings. I wished I could see what she was seeing in her mind.
    She got to the end of the aisle and stood still for a few seconds and then returned to reality. Our eyes met and we smiled at each other. She walked away and I resumed my shopping.
    I felt as if I had just witnessed the most tenderly sweet moment.
    I've been thinking about it ever since. I'm thankful I got to witness it. It has stirred something deep inside that I can't quite explain.