As some of you may know, I have been walking/jogging for about the last five months. And I have also managed to drop about 50 pounds while doing it (small pat on the back ). I usually go walking in the evenings after work when the sun starts to set and things cool down a little. I really enjoy those evening walks because you never know what you will see or who you might meet.
Tonight I left the house at seven o'clock and headed up the street in my usual fashion. I had almost reached the end of our street when I saw this older woman coming towards me walking with her chihuahua. As I began to walk past her, I noticwe her lips move like she's saying something. I couldn't hear a thing with my headphones on and my IPod playing loudly, so I quickly removed the earphones from my ears and asked, "ma'am?" She said, "It sure is nice to be able to get out, isn't it?"
"Yes," I replied, "the weather is beautiful " as I proceeded to walk past her. She stopped me though. I don't know why, but she wanted to chat with me. I did not know her, had never seen her before. I walked past her house everyday though. She wanted to talk, so I decided to be polite to the old gal and let her talk. I was certainly not in any hurry.
She began by telling me about her daughter and son-in-law. She is a teacher, although I'm not sure where. Their children have grown and now they want to adopt a seven year old girl who had been through several foster homes. The old woman began clucking her tongue and saying she didn't approve of it. That's when I knew why I was there. Adoption is an issue close to my heart. I very politely explained to the woman that adoption should not be frowned on. I explained how it could be good for the child and the parents. I also told her that I felt this poor girl only needed a stable place to call home and someone to love. She needs to know what a real family feels like. After about 20 minutes of such discussion, the mosquitoes were biting and I was ready to leave.
She thanked me before I left. Told me how nice it was to meet me and how much she had enjoyed our conversation. She welcomed me to come back another day. I felt as though I had accomplished something very important, and I truely hope I have. I hope she will welcome the girl with open arms, and remember our conversation. And I hope that someday soon, our paths will cross again.
