WALKING MY WAYS

WALKING MY WAYS. “Are we getting older or younger?” an older gentleman inquired, as I walked through the Post Office. “I am getting older and you are getting younger,” I quickly replied. It turns out he was 88. I was 93. And a woman, who witnessed this exchange, was a sprightly 83. And in this way, the older generation entertains itself.

And the other way, is to hold the doors open. For everyone. Especially the doors of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Post Office, which are held open far more often than most. FAR MORE. A generosity which spreads a wonderful sense of community spirit. And then a lady thanked me for both my blog and podcast. For which I was grateful. But as she wore sunglasses and a large hat, as well as multiple layers of clothes, I had no idea who she was. Sadly. Although I did thank her.

And during the two weeks surrounding Christmas and the New Year, Carmel received a ton of visitors. When there was power. If there was no power, it became a mute point. But when there was electricity, there seemed to be more visitors, than I can remember, in a very long time. Walking the streets. Driving their cars. Eating in restaurants. Searching for parking spaces. And on. One car turned a “U” turn directly in front of me. Into the parking space that I had planned to snag. Was I right? Was he right? Who cared? Other than I.

And so we brought in the New Year. With a thousand thoughts. One of which was to emulate the sayings of famous people. Among them was Charles Dickens, who followed a wonderful beacon: “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” And so, if all of us follow these simple precepts, the world will be a better place to live. Every Where. Every Day. Guaranteed. Finis.