I’ve been counting my blessings quite a bit, to lessen feelings of upset at having my life so drastically slashed.
Shelter in place as it’s in its second week, reminds me how lucky I am to have my personal, shelter in place, bringing me to, the girl in the box.
She’s been a neighborhood sight for a good 8 years now, as if she comes with the territory.
I’ve watched her hair go from brown, to salt and pepper, all gray and now snow white, as she makes her way, her belongings neatly packed in a shopping cart.
One can only guess her age since the elements make it hard. 30? 40? 50? She may have even been a teen when her heart-wrenching homelessness began.
She sleeps alongside The Church of the Heavenly Rest in a large, oblong, cardboard box, a design that you might see at IKEA, just in durable plastic, complete with a flap that covers the top.
It makes me think of Houdini’s trick, of making a woman in a similar box, disappear, which I’m sure would please the neighborhood.
I notice she wears glasses and likes to read in the late afternoon on a bench facing the Park. And despite living outdoors, never looks quite as tattered as you’d expect, what’s left of her sense of self holding on by its fingernails.
I’ve been witnessing some pretty bad behavior from the spoiled elite who can’t wrap their brains around this inconvenience hurled upon them, as if it’s only happening to a certain tax bracket.
Heard one woman say in the grocery store…
“I can’t believe our yearly trip to Italy is put on hold.”
I bit my lip so wanting to say, Italy is on its knees lady, but said nothing, as Sondra, the cashier, and I looked at one another.
Something like this always makes me think of the girl in the box, who asks for nothing, her needs met God knows how, eating in various ways via restaurant leftovers and park goers who couldn’t quite finish their lunch, saving room for that special dinner they’re going to have.
How is she eating now?
Has anyone advised her to wash her hands and not touch her face?
Is she afraid?
Does she even know our world is fighting a war?
Why did I even bring this up?
She humbles me, that’s why, in every sense of the word. 
SB
The poor soul!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s like water thrown over my head to remind me how fortunate I am, even in this imperfect, frightening time. Thanks Anne, for reading.
LikeLike
You pry my heart open a bit more with your sympathy for the unfortunate. We all need reminding that we are very blessed in this world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gratitude is my new roommate.
LikeLike
You can’t go wrong with gratitude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a showstopper alright.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad and sweet 😎
~Hal Rubenstein From my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad, but true. Just went by her when I went out to run. She doesn’t get up as early as me. She always seems so at peace whenever I see her.
LikeLike
This story certainly puts things into perspective. Due to social isolation, this woman is probably as safe as anyone can be right now. Your title should be the name of a novel or movie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are no accidents when I see her. It stops me, in my tracks, from whining and complaining. What right have I, as I circle back from my run, going home to a nice, warm space. Sigh Skinny. Triple, sigh.
LikeLike
This humbled me as well, thank you for sharing 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gratitude is in the house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another example of how life is a matter of perspective.
BTW – Thinking of you and hope all is well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Staying where my feet are Frank, living in the day. It’s indeed, a humbling time. Nice hearin from ya. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep … gotta do the best you can all considering. Keep your head up. Wondering … do you listen to Spotify?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I don’t. I read mostly.
LikeLike
… and that’s ok. Best of thoughts to you during these crazy crazy times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s it like where you are. Probably more contained. Here it’s like a war zone. Between the casualties going up reported hourly, igniting fear like a fuse, I feel like I’m in Nam. The way I always imagined it would be. Do you think after this, they’ll build a wall Frank? sigh
LikeLike
I can’t imagine what your city is going through. Simply cannot imagine.
LikeLike
Where are you, if you don’t mind me asking.
LikeLike
Cincinnati
LikeLiked by 1 person
So it’s not too rampant there. So glad you’re safe Frank. Wish I felt safer. But it feels as if I’m on the front lines. This too shall pass.
LikeLike
It feels like you are on the front line because you are. The virus moves in waves. You are experiencing ahead of the rest of us. Crazy times … Do as you need to do. It will pass but in time. Just don’t challenge time because it has a very high winning percentage. Stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God Frank, I love that last line. Pull and file it, like I tell Marc when something so moving appears on the page. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 … I don’t have to file because it is one already in the ready-when-needed file. Be safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Frank.
LikeLike
We all need reminders of our good fortune. Thanks for this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Humbling, humbling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you’re still safely in your house, and consider, you’re luckier than most being a writer and reader. Hope you’re enjoying those essays.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just finished Harriet Beecher Stowe. These essays are fantastic and I’m enjoying them very much. I’m doing one a night and will miss them when finished. Of course, the beauty of the written word is I can visit again. I am in the safety of the house. This situation works into my Howard Hughes or Greta Garbo preferences. Thank you for the recommendation, Susannah. Stay well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s how I read them also, nightly, to savor and let each one linger for a while.
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I say one a night but sometimes one lasts two nights. (even better)
LikeLiked by 1 person
What impresses so much is, how long ago they were written, and how well they’ve held up. He’s so special Mr. M.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to agree. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
History seems to float both our boats. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it does. My latest book (at the editor) Takes a couple of kids to Dodge city in 1883, Tombstone at the OK Corral, the Alamo in 1836, Normandy France in 1944, The twin towers in 2001, Las Vagas in 3935, Stanford in 1958 and back to 2020. Was fun to research and write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is nothing like seeing, truly seeing, what is around us to help us get a proper bearing/perspective. Trip to Italy? Honestly Lady. She is definitely seeing nothing.
I hope your girl in the box continues to manage though I am sure she must be having to work ever harder to get what she needs. She has to know what’s going on. It’s everywhere and especially in your neck.
Stay well, keep strong and good vibes are being sent your way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t watch the news. I’m feeling hermetically sealed, like I’m pickled in a jar. Now they’re saying, you can just get it if someone talks to you. I’ve had it Dale. Really. You just don’t know what to do anymore. I go out to run early, when no one is up. I make essential trips for groceries. And the rest of the time, I’m here, grateful I love to read and write. This too shall pass, I know…bit when. sigh
LikeLiked by 1 person
The news is to be avoided. I’ll take a little look-see every other day for fifteen minutes. That’s it. It is so far from over, my friend so we need to resign ourselves. It shall pass. We hope sooner rather than later but as long as there are eejits NOT doing what they are told, it will just prolong it.
I’m glad you can work your run in. It helps to be able to get some fresh air and work the muscles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like we’re in a tunnel. We will come out, we just don’t know when. sigh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. We can’t even see the light yet. But it’s there… We just have to keep trudging
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When shall it end? The 12th of Never…and that’s a long, long time. Oh, I really don’t mean that. At times, that’s what seems to be afloat. I’m praying more for soon and well.
LikeLike
It will be my first Easter on the planet, with no Easter. I will still send cards since, I already had them as if my inner Easter knew.
LikeLike
Such a good reminder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah.
LikeLike
Whether we call it blessings, or luck, or karma…I agree that the idea of counting it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve been humbled in ways that are more than startling. Things we’ve always taken for granted are now gone, hoping just temporarily. Little things, like the GAP, having a croissant at a cafe, a stroll through Barnes and Noble. A stroll down the street without having to strategically pace yourself so not to piss someone off who’s already in a mask and gloves. I’m truly bewildered.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The new normal is far from normal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could be a bumper sticker. 🙂 Hey, humor along with Oreos is what’s keeping me afloat.
LikeLike
Perspective is one of my favorite words for a reason. Because to possess the stuff means that I have stepped out of my size 10’s for just a moment. Not so that I can walk in the shoes of another, because I know that’s not possible. But so that I do not look at the world through a single prism, mine. We always have something to be thankful for, and we always have a reason to pray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay…this gets pulled for the…for future use…file. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
BOOM!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now there’s a word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very underrated word, really. It can mean people of a certain age group. It can also mean an economic uptick, or a town in the midst of one. And of course, I remember it being a most entertaining prop for Adam West’s old Batman TV show . . . BOOM!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still playing A to Z when I can’t sleep… A=arresting…BOOM…carnal…disaster….elan.
folly…germane…HELL…etc
LikeLiked by 1 person
Elan . . file. Germane . . . file.
LikeLike
Better than counting sheep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True thing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since reading about her life in a box? She’s on my mind…I wonder what she does when it’s so very cold…what does she do when it rains…how long can she continue living like this. I wish I could take her in but she wouldn’t like that. She has probably steeled herself from all the things others do…all of us who live in different boxes…she’s grown ever so attached and at home in hers. I think she’s quite content and at peace. God bless her…that unique girl in her box. Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s like trying to save an outdoor cat. They want none of it. She manages, that’s all I know. Saw her this morning, still sleeping.
LikeLike