There’s a woman in her 70s I see all the time on the avenue. We’ve never formally met, but we always say hello to one another.
I know nothing about her except she takes the express bus back to the Bronx most days at 5 o’clock.
I love how she looks in her old-fashioned charcoal gray suit as if she were on her way to church, a little feathered fedora angled on her head…
our repartee going something like this:
“Hi, there,” I say, how you doing today?”
“I’m good, thanks…and you?”
“Good, happy to be going home.”
“Me too…me too.”
This little exchange has been going on now for a good 8 months. I’m actually surprised when I don’t see her leaning on the wall by her stop.
Wednesday, right on schedule, there she was all bundled like a tiny Christmas package.
“You look warm,” I say, glad she takes such good care of herself.
“I am, and I have somethin for you,” halting me, surprised by this.
“You do?”
She reaches into her Museum of Modern Art tote handing me a little gold bag tied with curly red ribbon.
“May I open it?”
Her smile gives me permission.
Inside was a little crocheted pink and light blue doily, the kind you put on the arm of a chair or side table, she clearly made herself, with the word LOVE sewn in the center.
“This is so beautiful,” I say, visibly touched, “what made you give me such a special gift?”
“Because you remind me I’m still here breathin and livin, every time you ask how I am.”
Happy Valentines Day everybody. 
SB
Happy (early) Valentine’s Day! 🙂
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You too…so nice to hear from you. Hope all is well Lisa 🙂
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Yeah me and the husband are just battling a cold in time for tomorrow so we’re taking it easy.
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How romantic…sniveling and sneezing together. You can cuddle up…keep each other warm.
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Perfect, absolutely perfect! Love comes in all shapes and sizes.
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and also in bags…who knew 🙂
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Susannah you made someones day, and it doesn’t surprise me a bit. Happy Valentine’s Day.
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To you too. Remember those you love…even if it is technically a Hallmark holiday.
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Always and thanks.
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🙂
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You’re doing a grand job Susannah: keep spreading the love.
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It was just a casual exchange that didn’t necessarily deserve a doily, but it was an awfully sweet gesture.
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The familiarity of someone’s presence is always a shock when it’s not there as expected. She probably notices when you are absent also. That was such a sweet gesture Susannah and you two have that personality trait in common. ~Elle
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I talk to people, something I never realized until recently. Like learning everyone’s name who works at Panera so I can say good morning to them properly. I don’t know where this comes from, but I do it everywhere I go.
She’s such a cute little lady and what got my initial attention was how well-kept she is at her age…a sure sign of self-esteem. A reminder to always look your best to the world no matter what’s going on in your life.
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😉 You never know who is looking or who you may run into!
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True…that’s why my mother always wore lipstick when she emptied the garbage LOL
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So sweet ! Hope you’re feeling well, stay warm
Hal
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Hey Hal…yes…sweet is the word. Thanks for checking in.
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Susannah, I love this post! What a difference a few kind words can make in someone’s life!
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For me as well. She floored me with her gift…didn’t see it comin. I was very embarrassed, delightfully so.
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How wonderful would it be if all of us spent as much energy on a day to day basis, spreading a wee bit of love & friendship to not only our loved ones, but people we meet on a day to day basis, rather than sweating it out that one day a year, in search of the perfect card or setting up the perfect romantic date.
I suspect this lovely lady has a few of those doilies tucked away in her purse. I imagine her gifting one now & again to those people who remind her there is much to be learned by the simple act of kindness & caring. I am not surprised you are one of the Susannah.
Wishing you a happy love day!
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Hi Lynn…I’ll bet she does too. Bet she has a gift drawer with all kinds of gems and goodies. Valentines Day produces a lot of pressure since if you don’t step up you’re saying I don’t love you…I’d prefer to be loved all year, not just on the 14th of February though we’ve been brainwashed into thinking it’s a holy day rather than just a consumers.
Read your New Years post but good old wordpress wouldn’t let me comment or LIKE…OOH…if he were an actual man I’d bop him right in the nose.
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Not sure if you are referring to the New Years post from last year???? That is so weird that wordpress wouldn’t allow you to comment! Make sure you bop him a good one from me too! No doily for him!
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That’s funny…I can’t remember but I liked it 🙂
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Susannah, happy valentine day. My grandparents were from Italy (D’agostino). Here is a link to youtube re: Nonna Paola and her new iPhone. Your Grandpa was Italian so you may enjoy this. Bob – Fairfield, Ct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0d_TGQPl7Y
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Thank you Bob…and yes my grandad was Italian. Will sneak a peek.
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Reminds me of my sister-in-law’s now deceased mother. She was old school all the way. Didn’t go out without gloves and a hat. Very proper. She had a box of stuff, mostly costume jewelry but other stuff too that she would dip into for gifts. As a child I was often given an old brooch or piece of jewelry that was not necessarily valuable but was very pretty. That was about 50 years ago and I have those pieces today. I didn’t wear them in the 60s and 70s (I was all hippy then) but I did wear them with my business suits after that. She was always a special lady. Your story reminded me about her. Thanks for the memory and I am not surprised you received a gift. Not a lot of people greet older women (perhaps men too). You are one of a kind!
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I love that you still have them. How great is that. Put one on for Valentines Day…for her 🙂
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Pingback: Lovers Gonna Love | Life With The Top Down
Checkin it out Top 🙂
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That is so sweet, Susannah. It really shows how much common courtesies can mean to people.
As you can tell, I’m catching up with my athingirl reading since I got a bit behind. 😉
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You’re such a busy guy…writer…teacher. Never worry about reading athingirl.
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No, I’m hooked. I need my fix. 🙂
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You flatter me David.
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