June 16, 2009

Learn to use a semicolon

I was waiting for some friends outside of a restaurant tonight, people-watching and window-shopping, when this little old couple passed by: an elderly man with thick glasses was pushing a very frail old woman in a wheelchair down the sidewalk. As soon as I saw them, I said a prayer. I do that - I thank G-d for my health, for the weather, for luck and friendship and hindsight and everything in between. I am, as they say in Sister Act II, down with G-O-D (yeah, you know me; watch this if you are so culturally illiterate as to not know what I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wNmlrdCBkE).

So, there I was, smiling sadly at the elderly people as they went by and thanking G-d for my youth and energy and well-being...when the woman in the wheelchair began to hum. She smiled up at her husband, and serenaded him as they continued down the sidewalk together.

I quickly amended my prayer: thank you, G-d, for bringing these two people together and for blessing them with each other. Thank you for music, G-d. Thank you for peace. Thank you for breezy summer nights.

And thank you, G-d, for helping me learn to open my eyes, my mind, and my heart, so that I can know it when my guy comes along. Because, G-d, I've danced for nearly 20 years now, and I am totally going to have arthritic knees - I'm going to need someone to push me in my wheelchair as we go up Second Avenue together someday.

I was searching for a quote today at work and stumbled across this one, also known as my new to-do list:

1. the path is not straight.
2. mistakes need not be fatal.
3. people are more important than achievements or possessions.
4. be gentle with your parents.
5. never stop doing what you care most about.
6. learn to use a semicolon.
7. you will find love."
-Marion Winik