An Old Friend

I just ran into the guy who owned the video store in my neighborhood when I was living in the city. He was a nicer older gentleman, probably in his 50s, barbershop mustache, always talking with someone outside his store, you know the type. He was always a welcome face on my way home from one of my late night jobs. Always had the right thing to say, the right amount of encouragement.

Renaissance Boy lived in the same neighborhood as I used to. When we'd walk through the neighborhood, sometimes we pass where the store had been. It closed around the same time that I moved out; I think there's a coffee shop there now. Whenever we passed I'd feel a certain bit of nostalgia. When I was living there I was juggling one full time and two part time jobs just to make ends meet. I was tired. I was stressed. I was overwhelmed. But I was also on my own, calling my own shots, not having to worry about anyone else. There's a peacefulness to that lifestyle, I realize now. Something I currently don't have with my arrangement with Mom. Something I would love to have again.

Every time we'd walk and pass by the video store spot I'd wonder what happened to the owner. I missed his little pep talks, "You're heading in the wrong direction. You've got to turn around and find a party somewhere and meet some people. You shouldn't be working so hard, you need to meet a nice rich man who can take you away from all this." It was enough to make most girls my age cringe. But me? I found it comforting somehow.

I've been thinking about those times a lot lately. About him. Just in a father daughter way (really people!). And who should I run into today on my way to a happy hour? Yep, the one and the same. He told me the same little pep talk. It made me smile. Do you ever think that maybe there really are guardian angels? Or that fate places certain people in our path just when we need to see them most? I have warm fuzzies now. And this happy that I really wasn't sure I was looking forward to, I feel better about. Nothing like a little pep talk to get you back out there.