A Serious Force

Recently, several bloggers have experienced in a serious way the biggest force of nature known to man:

Gravity

Oh, I have always known and respected gravity.  It has shaped everything about me, quite literally.  Every line on my face cries out, “Gravity did this!” 

The drooping arch of branches says, “Look!  See this!  Gravity!”

A treasured vase crashing into tiny shards shouts, “See what Gravity did?!”

Simple stumble over an unseen obstacle sends an adult colliding with concrete.  The broken bone(s) scream, “Damn you, Gravity!”

Gravity is immediate in its results.  

Gravity is inexorable in its demands.  

Gravity is consistent in its behavior.  

Gravity is ever-present.  

Gravity is a great equalizer.  

Gravity dictates the physical results on Earth.

Gravity is one grave force of nature.

Live with it.  Or not.  It's still has the same effect.

Another Day at the Doctor Office

Another day at the Doctor’s office, another slice of humanity.  Another day for observing the great lives that pass through the door.

Awkwardness melted away as the chairs filled up.  Patients were forced to sit next to a stranger.  And then, one person leaned over to the next and said something.  It didn’t matter what, because the forbidden veil had been torn.  People started interacting, sharing, making eye contact.

Different races, ages, experiences, and life choices poured out in a flood.  Vietnam vet was next to long distance trucker.  An elderly woman sat next to twenty-something woman.  A bicyclist with torn ACL (or ALC) talked to the sixty-something man who sported a graying ponytail and a Padres baseball cap. 

Everyone was there to see the doctor for some reason involving pain or illness.  Some were clearly in wrenching pain, but relating the events of the accidents helped them endure the waiting.

What was I doing, you may ask.  I was the one who leaned over to the person next to me, and started it all.  After that, my journal was open as I wrote, interspersed with conversation.

Just needed to get the ball rolling.

There Go I

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On Christmas Day these events I observed:

A lone man shivering and looking at his feet while waiting for a bus

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Cold rain falling on an overloaded pick-up truck as it moved belongings from one abode to another

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The sound of an ambulance coming from a near-by assisted living complex

Christmas tree lot with many unsold trees, all unattended

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A single car parked at McDonalds

On the freeway, a car with a flat tire and a woman with children inside waiting for the tow truck

On Christmas Day these events I experienced:

My granddaughters in their pajamas, opening gifts, squealing with delight

My grandson (six months old) sitting in my lap, chewing on his favorite finger

Laughter from my family

Safety

Warmth

Food

Holding my husband’s hand

But for a twist of chance or fortune, I/we could have been in the first list.  In fact, we have been on that list at one time or another.  What about you?  What did you see on Christmas Day?  Have you ever been in one of those spots?