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-Every time I got gas, I used to always go to the Kroger nearest my house. And in that little gas hub where you pay cash for gas, there was this little Native American/Mexican lady who looked absolutely miserable. So whenever I left I'd always say have a nice day, or take it easy, etc. We ended up becoming great friends, and before she left that job, I ended up learning that she has a son off at UCLA, another with a family, and she works for her satisfaction. And she really loves her sons, and me, because I reminded her of them.
-On the way home from the gym one day, I passed a man parked alongside a country road ( one that I take as a shortcut to my house ) rigged up with a huge fan and parachute. He was a "power pair glider", which I figured out after I parked my car, walked over to him, and sat down and gave him an audience. He was a former military higher up, from the Air Force, and loved flying. Having made enough of a name for himself, and growing tired of commercial flight that he took up after serving, he retired and picked up this hobby. I enjoyed helping with his parachute and his ascension.
-Before I had a first period, and before I had anything to keep me up at night, I used to always wake up and go to school far earlier than necessary. And many a times had nothing to do to fill the time, so I'd pleasure read. And I guess I don't look like "the reading type", or maybe it's just a "black thing", but each morning a very nice black teacher would pass me by and always very kindly say good morning. She always gave me nods of approval. And oddly enough it felt like we'd become quite a pair of friends through this silent exchange.
-All football season, I'd never been too much more than a tackling dummy and occasional moral authority. All I really had going for me, and what people respected about me, was my work ethic. I'd always been part of the crowd, and never a stand out player. Even with all my position changes to fill gaps for my coaches during practices. By the end of the year I learned how to efficiently play defensive end, middle linebacker, outside linebacker, and corner-back. So I guess there was no doubt my frame was versatile, though not necessarily up to par aside from the plays I got through starting on kickoff and kickoff return. But through all this I'd always sort of kept to myself, never expected anything though I gave everything. And finally, the night we returned from our state game, my coach whom id never really spoken much to, pulled me aside after I'd cleaned up after my team mates as i always had, and with a tear in his eye commended/ thanked for my devotion. For all my hard work despite circumstances, and he apologized that I'd not received the attention I deserved as an athlete that any other school would've offered. But that in mind he expressed his appreciation for me that much more, and sent me off with a tussle of the hair and a pat on the back. He didn't have to cry or hug me or anything. Or tell me he missed me. He didn't need to, nor was that how he was. But I understood and received it as if he had. And it's something I'll never forget
-Working a sort of "showcase" one night for the youth ministry I'm involved with, I met quite an odd man by the name of Dundee. The man ended up being not only one of the kindest guys I'd ever met, but much more than that I realized how much I was just like him. All the shared experiences. And within ten minutes talking to him, it's like he completely understood my entire life story up to where I was at, because as it seemed, he had already lived it. I really hope I get to cross paths with this man again in the coming years.
-Working an actual dance showcase, I met countless parents of dancers whom I don't even personally know. And yet, with it, formed a sort of repoire where all these middle aged men say hi to me and shake my hand seemingly every place I go (mostly diners).
-A few times I decided I'd stay after class a bit to pick out books from my English teacher's book shelf, and after a few run ins, ended up building quite the friendship. If you've ever seen The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, I feel like Charlie and she's "Bill", the teacher. Unbeknownst to her, shes more or less become a sort of mentor, and much like Bill I read the books she suggests me and it's very enriching. I will surely miss this.
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