I recently had a moment in a store that prompted me to remember an experience that pops into my mind every so often when something triggers it. It's one I've thought of more than once, but I often wonder if I really understood it and if others would simply think it "silly." I've decided to share it anyway, because I think it's rare that we stop notice certain things anymore and perhaps we should. Also, we perhaps should try to acknowledge more those moments when recognize beauty in others.
The memory is this - One day while driving along, I saw a woman walking down a street with her bicycle as she looked in a window of a store. There was nothing obviously beautiful about her by any fashion sensibilities: She was just in a tee shirt and a pair of cargo shorts, hair coiffed in a utilitarian bun with curled bangs (she may have even worn the dreaded white tennis shoes . . . oh the fashion faux pas !!), and the scenery wasn't particularly interesting. However, there was something that suddenly struck me as just simply, genuinely pretty about it all and her, herself. There was nothing odd or even like admiring a great work of art, it was just one of those moments where if you were present, you could not ignore it. It sort of left me confused and, since I was driving, I didn't get to process it right away. Also, she never saw me, so I felt more than a bit like an accidental voyeur.
On reflection, the only thing that I could say that sort of sparked it was seeing something internal reflected in her body language and her face. She may have just been going about her day as usual, but she seemed poised and mix between excited and at peace that day -- as if touched by a quiet confidence that comes of accomplishing something -- and it crept to the surface of her being just at the moment I happened to look over, while checking for traffic and the light, which was golden, played off her yellow patterned shirt and highlighted that look on her warm features.
The memory is this - One day while driving along, I saw a woman walking down a street with her bicycle as she looked in a window of a store. There was nothing obviously beautiful about her by any fashion sensibilities: She was just in a tee shirt and a pair of cargo shorts, hair coiffed in a utilitarian bun with curled bangs (she may have even worn the dreaded white tennis shoes . . . oh the fashion faux pas !!), and the scenery wasn't particularly interesting. However, there was something that suddenly struck me as just simply, genuinely pretty about it all and her, herself. There was nothing odd or even like admiring a great work of art, it was just one of those moments where if you were present, you could not ignore it. It sort of left me confused and, since I was driving, I didn't get to process it right away. Also, she never saw me, so I felt more than a bit like an accidental voyeur.
On reflection, the only thing that I could say that sort of sparked it was seeing something internal reflected in her body language and her face. She may have just been going about her day as usual, but she seemed poised and mix between excited and at peace that day -- as if touched by a quiet confidence that comes of accomplishing something -- and it crept to the surface of her being just at the moment I happened to look over, while checking for traffic and the light, which was golden, played off her yellow patterned shirt and highlighted that look on her warm features.
I do sometimes feel a bit like a voyeur into Whoever-she-is's personal thoughts. Even when I remind myself that my luck in seeing the moment was due to nothing more than happenstance, I still feel that way. Perhaps that's why I haven't shared it before, but I appreciate it so much. It's somewhat rare to see those moments, whether you call them grace, or just suddenly recognizing something that shows the best of who we are and can be - at peace with yourself - and so I cherish this memory.
What triggered the memory today was that I think I may have provided something similar to someone else. I didn't get out to grocery shop for ingredients needed for the day (Fourth of July celebration with family) the night before, so I hurried out this morning to get them and a few other things, bread, tortillas, and some fruit. I was dressed in clean clothes and managed to brush my teeth and find my glasses so I could see, but I didn't do much with my hair (most days I don't do much with it anyway, it's there, and grows out of my head, can't much help that).
I was working my way quickly down the aisle of Albertson's thinking about what I needed to get and what tomatoes would be the best choice (honestly), when all of a sudden a perfect stranger looked over at me and with a stunned look on her face, said, "Oh, you are beautiful!" I was in such a hurry (of course) and didn't even really register that she'd actually caught my eye on purpose when she said that until I'd passed too far to turn around and acknowledge it. I know I probably looked startled when she spoke and I wish I'd had a moment to more completely acknowledge the compliment at the moment, but I hope that she came away feeling a little empowered by it to, though I suspect, she may feel the bit the voyeur as I did in my experience. I am also more grateful for my previous experience as I think I would not have recognized this moment as something similar and potentially special.
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