On the sidewalk, & a death

[misterx]

This actually happened yesterday.

I was out walking at lunchtime with my camera, experimenting with infrared. I'll post some of those later. I was heading back towards the office, and ahead on the sidewalk sat a young woman with long dark hair, heavy but not unpleasantly so, leaning against a telephone pole with a trash bag full of something in her left hand. She stared blankly ahead.

As I passed I said "Hello", and her face suddenly brightened and she said "Hi!" with animation and warmth in her voice, but then immediately lowered her eyes and quietly said "Sorry..."

I walked the next block wondering why she had said "sorry" like that.

I walked the block after that wondering why I hadn't asked her.



In an unrelated note, my grandfather passed away today. My extended family lives mostly in the midwest, and so I haven't seen him for years. Last time I saw him at my parent's house in NJ he had suffered a stroke and couldn't talk. He mostly sat on the sidewalk and pulled weeds, cutting the dandelion roots under the surface with his pocketknife. He had more strokes after that. Mom and Dad tell me that last time they visited him at the nursing home, he didn't even recognize them. I remember him mostly as he was when I was a child, both gruff and playful... he had a wallet on a chain that we kids would delight in pulling out and letting drop as we ran away. He feigned surprise and anger every time. He was a farmer. He was a tall, tan man... he looked a lot then like my father looks now. I am thankful my kids live closer to my parents, and will get to know them more than I knew mine.

I miss Grandpa Woody, and I'm very sad he passed. I'm also sad for my father.

Comments

[wldrose.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry dear loosing grandparent when your our age is like having the roof come off the house. Oh my dear I wish there was more I could say.

Ash

[captain-snarky.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry hon.
May the pain pass quickly.

[dragon-spirit.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa. It's always hard to lose a portion of your own roots.

I'm also sorry to hear about someone who felt like saying Hi! was a crime.

[ms-kayla.livejournal.com]

i'm sorry...

[roaming.livejournal.com]

This whole death thang isn't so bad. It's the losing all the parts of yourself that make you you before you go that scares the beejesus outta me.

I'm sorry for your dad, and for you. And mostly for Grandpa Woody. Sounds like he was a good granddad.

[jintenn76.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa!!! Sending you lots of hugs!!!

[cuntishness.livejournal.com]

i'm so sorry, vaughn.

[brujaoscura.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
I know that there isn't much I can say- other than I am sorry to hear of it. I'm certain he would be glad you have wonderful memories of him
I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts snd prayers.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss and sadness. I hope the good memories outweigh that sadness. But, of course, if you had no good memories of him, you would have no reason to feel sad now, would you? One of the mysteries of humanity.

[theweary.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*
Having a grandparent die is very saddening. Take care.. know that you are cared about by so many and we all wish you well..

[ianlyzu.livejournal.com]

i'm sad you're sad. and i hope you feel better.