A woman I’ve never met walks by my house each and every day.
This in and of itself is not extraordinary. But her constancy is.
Every day, at the same time, she walks, backpack on her back. Both straps fastened, limping. Hat and sunglasses on, even on cloudy days.
In the summer, she walks with purpose, as if determined her limp will not slow her down. In the winter, gingerly, with deliberation, so as not to fall.
And every day, like clockwork, a man meets her. A man walking two large dogs—mutts–who greet her as if she is Jesus Christ come to save them.
The man, too, lights up when he sees her, in a quiet, calm way.
She seems to be the center of this trio’s universe.
I am amazed at the synchronized timing of this group. What is it that she does, that she can with such surety be in front of my house at the same time, every day, give or take only a minute or two? And how does he manage to get to almost the same spot on the block to meet her every single time?
I marvel at this ability to plot life so dependably. Perhaps when I am their advanced age, I, too, will be able to count on doing one thing and only one thing at a time reliably and well; multitasking be damned.
What I love is the quiet joy and constancy that shines from this group as they greet each other. They seem to realize their days are numbered. That showing up for each other, day in and day out, matters.
Perhaps I read too much into the scene. But I doubt it.
I have the mutt. I hope when I walk with legs that have seen many more years, I also have the other faithful human companion.
Quiet joy and constancy are so very underrated, after all.
We should all get such a welcome.
candidkay 
I definitely wish for a walking partner, K. I also wish for at least a part time “head on the other pillow” situation. Your story is so wonderful of the two people and dog who meet daily. Gingerly walking on slippery surfaces is something where a hand or arm to lean on would be nice to count on. ♡
Wishing both an arm and a head for you, attached to a wonderful guy:).
I dwelled in this piece with you and shared your thoughts and emotions. Quite a gift on a Sunday morning.
I love your description of this wonderful daily meeting and that you’ve paid the attention to something ordinary that’s extraordinary.
Thank you:). If I could watch these scenes as movie shorts, I’d love it.
Oh, how I love this…. What a sweet daily rendezvous! Thank you for sharing it. I love looking at the world through your eyes…
Thank you! I was happy to share this one.
Candace, I thoroughly enjoyed this short piece. Very poignant because my wife and I do things by clockwork at times. Yes, the dog is included. The only bright moment these two older people have may be the certain time each day when they meet. Not sure about you and maybe it’s the salesperson in me, but I’d make it a point to go outside to meet her, then ask her about the routine. Satisfy your curiosity and then write another brief story about it. If you go to my blog and keep scrolling down, you’ll come to a love story, ‘Love In a Parking Lot’. I think you’d enjoy it. Thanks for this one.
I will have to check out that post. For now, I’m content with the mystery. I may ask some day, but for now it’s enough to see the joy:).
Oh my gosh, you have to go meet them and find out the story and then share it with us! There’s way more going on here than meets the eye. Please find out what it is.
I love these little glimpses into your life as it intersects with others. Something so ordinary, yet you’ve managed to make it interesting and something I will ponder a while.
Thank you! One of the nicest things you can say to a writer is she made you ponder:). I’ll take laugh or cry also any day!
As usual, beautifully painted.
That brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. I agree…don’t learn their story, much better to imagine and watch. One day, something may change, of course…and that’s perhaps another story.
I feel the same! I will worry the day they don’t show up.
Or one will, but the other won’t…
There is much truth in the saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ as there is such joy in the re-meeting.
The simple things in life are often the most precious. Obviously they know this and look forward to their time together. I love wtaching people, and always try to figure out their life story. 🙂
That you get to witness it every day is a beautiful gift!
They are sharing their story, maybe knowing or maybe not, but sharing it with you who in turn shared with us.
The joy of continuity seen from your perspective and the gift of sharing that feeling of happiness!
It does feel like a gift. They make me smile:).
Beautiful and inspiring post for wonderful happy days continuing into our golden years. Peace and Blessings
May we all be so lucky, eh?:)
They’ve probably released this world because they know the secret of life Kay.
And they’re not telling anyone, we have to find it too….hence the wondering 😀
Yes, indeed.
Love this. What is their story? Probably best it remains a mystery. Here we have an eccentric runner who is only ever seen, bare-chested, on a Sunday evening striding through the town blaring music as he goes. No one knows who he is or sees him any other time. The ongoing mystery is way better than what are probably the mundane facts.
I agree, Roy! Several times, I’ve thought of saying hello to figure it out but I’ve decided I love their inspiration from afar for now:). Your runner sounds eccentric:). Best admire from a distance also!
It’s the seemingly mundane facts that makes his story so beautiful. Go meet him!!
Ah, but part of the beauty is that I don’t know the story :-). I also love the magic and mystery in that!
This reminded me of the scene in Under the Tuscan Sun, the man who brings the flowers… *smile*
Oh, I’d forgotten about him! Love the hope that movie imbues in me:).
What a sweet story.
All our days are numbered. Maybe because of their age they’re more aware of time but if that’s the case, maybe it would serve us all well to to view life in the same way….:)
I couldn’t agree more, George.