Yesterday gave me another Thank You, Jesus moment. Snow dusted my morning commute and the much needed moisture was a blessing. When winter makes an appearance in my part of America, bus schedules typically get messed up, but yesterday was an exception. My bus driver was on time and at the Park-n-Ride I caught my connecting ride to the office. Most mornings, I prefer to catch the connecting train because of the time factor, but I wasn’t in the mood to feel bitterly cold while waiting on the train tracks.
The bus stop is a block from the magnificent view of a structure I proudly call my workplace. It’s a two-story building that now overlooks a huge Christmas tree that sits on what is really a circular fountain that would pump out refreshing water during the warm seasons of the year. Little children in their swim wear always came when that fountain was at work, to bathe and splash waters on the other kids while their mothers, nannies or guardians sit nearby reading books, having a picnic, carrying conversations or just watching the childish play. The visiting kids would usually mess up the lovely fountain view and when things got out of control, the property security on patrol would come to the rescue. But overall, the picture always ends up like a candid snapshot of what warm weather can inspire.
Above the bus stop is the elevated train platform. Whenever I get off the train and go down those steps, I see my work surroundings which never fail to put a smile on my face. I’m fortunate to be going to work in a lovely, little universe. The walk to my building is never boring because beautiful trees and gorgeous landscaping line up the pathway. In addition, there are metal and stone sculptures to feast my eyes on. Whoever designed this pretty picture deserves a million thanks!
Forgive me if I’m boring you with these details. But, you see, for more than 15 years I worked in a Downtown office where wide open space is a luxury. Today the layout has become more crowded with the construction of expensive lofts and living spaces in that area. Buildings sit next to each other in what I see as a tight embrace and such a view I sometimes find rather suffocating. Fast driving vehicles (spewing horrible smoke in the process) and frantically moving pedestrians (with multilingual sounds) are fixtures of the busy area and if one is looking for a nice, unhurried, peaceful walk on the street, that certainly isn’t the place to be. People are constantly in a rush, talking loud, screaming invectives, and sometimes even forgetting their manners.
But I have to confess that Downtown was a part of my work life that brought me a very significant once-in-a-lifetime jewel-of-a-moment. Back in those days I drove and one morning I stopped my car under the light at an intersection that was a throwing distance from the city’s historic hotel. At that precise moment the visiting Dalai Lama happened to be going out the door and was giving his blessing to the masses gathered outside. I was still waiting for the green light when His Holiness raised his hand to bless the people. Through all these years I believe that due to my proximity to His Holiness, I got his blessing too!
For that priceless encounter, I say thanks, as well as for many other awesome moments in my life. I’m most specially grateful for my continued gainful employment. The truth is, I vicariously suffer when I hear laid-off people’s stories about their struggles to find a job. I feel their pain because eight years ago, I walked in their shoes. After being a part of the work force for almost thirty years, then suddenly losing that one constant in my life just when I was so close to retirement, I felt self-esteem slowly leave me. My spirit was at an all-time low. If my parents didn’t show me examples of fortitude, determination and confidence while I was growing up, I don’t know where I would be today.
Parenting (by biological parents or guardians) is the world's most important job because children grow up to become the adults they turn out to be from examples they were given in their young lives. I know that I am who I am today because of what Mom and Dad taught and showed me. My parents are both gone now, and I thank the Good Lord for taking them to a better place, but their influence will never abandon me. The Catholic religion I was brought up in has given me the strength and courage to face my adversities. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
