What is she writing?

There she is again, just like everyday before last. I find her to be so odd, always in that knit hat. I think she that has such a lack of purpose to be here. She is always alone but I see her sit over there on that bench watching the children play. Why does she do this, she does not have a child here? There are only 4 children here and they are mine. Everyday she sits there and will write in that little black book. What is she always writing?

What is that lady doing now? She is sitting near these two old men playing chess. You can tell the men are poor because they have worn out the edging of their pants and have holes in their shirts. Wouldn’t surprise me if they were homeless. Again, she is writing in that little black book. What is she writing? Why is she judging those two old men? She looks like she could benefit from a good meal too. She needs to put on 20 pounds. I mean her clothes do not look new and they look to be three sizes to big. What is she writing? Everyday writing in that little black book. What is she writing?

Now she is going over there near those teens hanging out on the basketball court. What is she going to do, judge them because they are from poor families? She will probably write about them in her little black book. They do not need to be reminded that they cannot afford name brand clothes and shoes. She is watching them so obviously, not even trying to hide it. What, is she laughing at them? Wow there she is, writing in that little black book. I knew it. What is she writing? Everyday judging us for being poor, she doesn’t look like she has money either you know! What is she writing in that little black book? Well I guess I better go home now. I will probably see her again tomorrow. Yes tomorrow I am going to ask her why she sits there and stares at us all. I am going to ask her what is she writing in that little black book of hers.

Well that figures, that lady is not here again. All week she has not been here. Wait that guy walking toward me has a little black book. And I was happy that I have not seen the lady with the little black book all week. Now him. What does he want with me?

“Are you Cara, the one with 4 children?” He asked.

“Yes” I said.

“My wife asked me to find you, the two men playing chess and the to teens that sing on the basketball court. Can you help me gather them together? It is important.” He said in a quiet voice.

“Yes” I said again.

What can this be about? Why does he have the little black book? I do not know these people. Why would they gather for me, just because I ask them?

“Excuse me gentlemen, I don’t mean to interrupt your game, but this young man wants us to gather with the teens from the basketball court. He has something to tell us.” I explained.

So, I gathered them all, now what? What could he want with us all? Finally, he is going to speak now.

“My name is Paul. You probably have seen my wife here at the park. She enjoyed sitting and watching everyone. She would also write in this little black book everyday. My wife had ovarian cancer and she died a week ago. She had asked me to come here, gather all of you and read the last entry in this little black book to all of you” he explained. So, Paul read it to us, in his very shaken voice, only pausing for breathes.

“Saturday August 27, 2021

There is a single mother of 4 here at the park everyday. She must have two jobs because she comes here in a maid’s uniform, but I saw her a few times in the evening delivering pizza. Her name tag on her uniform says Cara. What a pretty name. You can tell by the way she talks to her children that she is very dedicated to them. She has a lot of strength to have two jobs and be a single mother. She is showing her children to be strong, dedicated and to have courage to push through life. She shows them how to make any situation light by laughing and being together. YES, I see it, strength, courage, and dedication.

I like watching the children play and laugh on the jungle gym. The older two, Timmy and Tommy, are 7-year-old twin boys. They are always protecting their younger siblings. From what I gathered there is Austin, who is 5 years old, and Emily, who is 4 years old. They do not have a care in the world except for today, right in the now. They are not worried about what tomorrow brings. They have no pressure from adult obligations. The children do not care who you are, what color you are, what orientation you are, or what your political stand is. They are simply happy to play with each other, having laughs, and sharing their moments in life. All I see is innocence waiting to be molded, forming unconditional bonds of friendship. These children are seeing and experiencing everything for the first time. YES, I see it, innocence.

I am watching Jack and Vincent playing chess again. I do not sit here to watch the game though; I sit here to listen to their story’s. And I would listen to them for hours if I could. They talk about a time before this one and how different it was. The loyalty these two men have for each other is unbelievable and not seen much anymore. They are lovely old gentlemen with such wisdom on life and how to overcome struggles, push through pain and how to enjoy what they have, not thinking twice about what they do not have. I learned through their stories that Jack and Vincent grew up together, went to war together, had families about the same time and how both outlived their spouses. Still together they are finishing life side by side as roommates in their apartment across from the park. YES, I see it, wisdom, and loyalty.

There are a few teens that hang out on the basketball court rapping and making music. There are two, Maria and Darius, that are so passionate about music that I want to stay all day and listen to them. Maybe stand up and applaud them. I so enjoy these teens. The creativity and joy that they feel is contagious. I cannot help but to tap my feet. I can feel my soul smile. These two will go far in life if they keep growing their talents. They might not have much, but they saved all their money from their after-school jobs to go to a Rap Battle of the Ages contest. I heard them say if they win, they will receive a scholarship. YES, I see it, passion, and creativity.

I believe that our experiences in life are not just ours to own. It is every person that we encounter, be it a minute, an hour, days or even years. They become a part of our experience and we become a part of theirs. We will speak of their life in our experience stories and they will speak of our life in their stories. I can speak of any of my experiences in a positive way (no matter the negative experience) because it might help another person, one that maybe I did not even know was listening. Each one of us are inspiring people, overcoming each bump in our path. Eventually finding our way back each time, stronger than the last. We are watchers, listeners, speakers, lovers, writers, singers, and life living goers for each other. We do not live life alone. There are tons of people around you that you do not know and you might need one of them to become your friend in a time of need, but also think of how many are around you needing the same thing from you. One of you could be the one to reach, why not let it be you.

It starts with opening your mind and your eyes. See the life and beauty in everything around you or you will miss it. RIDE LIFE HAPPY!

All of you helped to fill in my days with happiness and it was appreciated. I was happy to never have met you. You do not know me, but I know you. I had a second small life insurance policy, which was probably a surprise to my husband, but now hopefully it will help all you a little bit.

To Cara the single mother who showed me to keep having strength, courage, and dedication I leave $6,000 and to her 4 children; Timmy, Tommy, Austin and Emily who show me the purity of innocence I leave $500 each.

To Jack and Vincent who showed me the importance wisdom and loyalty I leave $4,000 each.

To Maria and Darius who showed me how to let my soul smile through their creativity and passion I leave $2,000 each” he finished.

That little black book, why was I so afraid of it and what she was writing? That little black book that made all of us cry from its beauty. How could I have been so wrong about her and everyone else around me? I was the one judging them and I didn’t even know it. She knew us all without even talking to us. She saw beauty in our lives. I am bonded to these people now. I am going to get a little black book and pick up where she left off. We will stick together and get to know each other. She even knew our names. Wait, where is her husband Paul? There he is walking back to his truck.

“What was her name?” I screamed!

He replied, “Hope!”