So yesterday we were moving things over to Clint's and Eric's new apartment. It was probably about 8 o'clock at night and we were walking a couple more boxes up to their 3rd floor residence.
The boys' apartment is around the back of one of the buildings, and as we were walking round behind, I was surprised to see an open 2nd story window, with a little Latin boy leaning out.
He was shirtless. The window had no screen and I was semi-shocked to see him leaning out from the top of his bunkbed into the cold night air.
He asked me directly, as if we'd known each other for years: "Do you have any gum in your purse? Can you look and see if you have any gum?"
He was a cute kid, maybe six or seven years old, and I was tempted to toss up some kind of treat, since he was brave enough to ask. Charlie pointed out that the boy shouldn't be asking for candy from strangers. He had a point, so after a minute, we kept walking.
"Hey, Buddy. . You should probably shut the window and to to bed. It's pretty cold out!"
But I couldn't help but smile.
It reminded me a simpler time, when we were all friends, and children didn't necessarily have to be wary of people they hadn't met before. When there was a bit more faith in humanity. When there smiles were more readily exchanged between strangers, who many times became the best of friends.
What a cute kid! I wonder if his parents knew that he was talking out his window to random folk passing by.
I remember hearing stories from my grandparents about a time when neighbors would make a practice of sitting on porches, or walking and talking together in the evening. For the most part, a community was one big happy family. A tight-knit group whose closeness was rarely compromised in any serious way. .
I've also heard stories from my Latin friends about how things are in Mexico and South America. .
About my parents' childhood in the 1950's, when there "was no fear." Big families and friends, neighborhoods, warm memories and traditions!
I hope, in this past year, this crazy time of introversion and distancing, we haven't lost that perspective, that childlike desire to communicate and connect without reservation. I hope we can bounce back from hiding in our homes and be close and trusting again.
We're about out of the woods, folks! At least where the pandemic is concerned. .
Hope is on the horizon! Let's smile and give each other a piece of gum. 💓
