Nothing to apologize for. This winter season has been eratic on all counts. March brings spring so 'hope springs' eternal I think the saying goes. But only if it is your head to believe such things. Onward to the blessings of renewal. So to keep a modicum of sanity and balance in what is now a warring world.
Hence, this thought: Each day is its own opportunity for renewal in ways big (colorful, remarkable) and small. Though mostly in what is considered a small thing. So when I am on a crosstown Metro bus I can cherish the driver's spontaneous comment - a compliment - when I pay and she says 'I like your pin.' I am overjoyed: This is a connection between two strangers that is outright positive.
No reason that she should interact with a passenger at all, secluded safely between her heavy plastic shield (with an opening on one side). I am thrilled for no real reason other than she was reaching out. My pin is a sparkly rhinestone butterfly covering the Patagonia label on the front of my down vest. "Cheap," I respond - making my return gesture to mean such a pin might be available for anyone. Then later I take my seat up front in the senior and disabled sections across from an extra large passenger - a few hundred pounds or so - and see that he is carrying a large sack containing the familiar label of petitions for signatures that enable a candidate to qualify for a race. We are connected in that way, too. This is the season to prime for the primary races locally. I've done my share of work in my Ward. The weekend market is almost a chorus line of similar entreaties.
'Only connect" was the much quoted slogan attributed to the English novelist E.M. Foster. Melancholy words in an era when it seems most connecting is done through automatic, mechanistic means. Seeming to prevent any real personal contact. Still, it's worth the effort though a person may feel hopelessly archaic and ridiculous when the stranger who is unexpectedly approached, responds with a look of puzzlement if not fear.
Or maybe the better word is
'engage,' any way, if a 'connection' doesn't quite describe the effort.
As a minor form of rebellion I try not to let the opportunity get away every day. So on a recent airplane ride, I managed a real conversation with two seat mates on two different trips.In neither case was the stranger immersed in the solitary exclusionary act of watching a video on their screens - thus it seemed not out of hand to engage. One easy one: Are you a native of (------ wherever the passenger has begun the journey or where he/she hopes to land)? In one case, a fit looking middle aged man in military dress was on his way to Hawaii to test his deep fishing skills, being a licensed outfitter for water trips on land. I learned a great deal about challenges to the sport, limits imposed by local government to save a species from extinction. (catch and release after taking the photo). On my return, the woman beside me was rapidly cleaning with a packaged wipe her seat as well as the drop-down board. Turned out she was a suburban Marylander interested in politics and the arts: both of my favorites as well. Yes, she would consider coming to a fundraiser for a Montana candidate running for the US House ...
