Something I missed

3:21am

I know I said I wouldn’t write again, I never intended to. I can’t stop thinking about the girl, and her mum and the conversation. But mostly the girl. It’s been a couple of days and I haven’t been sleeping properly. She liked me, she wasn’t judging and proud like adults are. I’ve found myself trying to relive the joy of the moment over and over, and each time the memory becomes more poignant, but it’s a hollow feeling. It’s as though I’ve been cut away from a friend I will never meet again. Ah I’m so tired and I probably sound like an idiot as usual.

The longer I think about it though, the surer I am that there was something more to this meeting, something deeper. Despite her cheerful appearance, I can definitely see now that there was a sadness in her, she kept it hidden well, but I could tell. It wasn’t so much anything she said or did, it was just a feeling I got, I know because I have felt the same way. I think this is why she came to me, I think she recognised the connection between us and wanted me to help her. She couldn’t express this, though, a 6 year old wouldn’t know how to. But what reason could a girl so young have for feeling such pain? I was thinking about this for a long time before it occurred to me, it probably had something to do with the parents. Monica never did choose the right man; they’re probably a very unhappy family now. I hope she didn’t recognise me in the store, I don’t think she did. It has to be a problem with the parents. This would explain why the girl felt the need to seek out the help of another adult. Poor child, she should’ve chosen someone worthwhile.

The Power of Kindness (My Encounter)

5:07pm

Hello internet! Haha, hi. I am 34 and have never used a ‘blog’ before but I have something I have to say.

The most stunning thing that’s happened to me happened to me today. I was sitting on the floor reading in the corner of my local bookshop when I was approached by a young girl, she said she was 6 years old. This girl (I still don’t know her name) walked up beside me, stared for a couple of seconds until I looked up, and then asked me why I was sitting on the floor. I was taken aback by her boldness before I told her it was because I was reading. “But there could be dog poo on the floor!” she said. I was amused and told her that dogs weren’t allowed inside the shop, I remembered having the same innocence as a child. But she persisted, educating me about the process of dogs doing their business outside, people stepping in it and then walking inside the shop. Needless to say I was astounded, not just by her perceptiveness, but by her entire manner, I had not experienced anything similar to what her prescence inspired in me for longer than I can remember.

We continued to talk, she was interested in the book I was reading, apparently she had read it in school. Her similarities with me were gorgeous. That this girl could find time in her day just to talk to me is the sort of kindness I don’t understand how I deserve. She could have spoken to anyone else.

I suppose she would’ve spoken to me for longer but her mother interupted us, she had finished whatever she was doing in the shop and the two of them left. The funny thing was, I recognised this mother, I’d met her once before at a social gathering I think something like 7 years ago. Haha that’s almost long enough for the girl to be my daughter! But seriously, I just had to get this story off my chest, I’m not sure how most people use blogs but this will be my only post. I think it is a story worth telling to anyone who understands or at least cares. I cant tell anyone who knows me I guess because I don’t know if they would understand it. This girl has given me a new perspective on life, I’d like to thank her for that.

Parr