All you said was “Hello” and I was lost, unable to reply: you were the young wife of a local and rather older dignitary and me a junior staff member of the charity where your husband, the patron, had arrived to share the glories of his documented kindness. He was the man of the hour: a celebrated figure and pleased to be so. You his gentle wife, and “gentle” is the only word that comes to mind when I think of you, touched my heart as you walked past my life.
We were both prisoners of expectations formed by the world around us, fulfilling duties without regard to harboured dreams: you had that “ Trapped” quality people radiate when they become the sum of other’s expectations. I had as well,or at least I think so.
Perhaps I was wrong, but I sensed a recognition not felt by me in recent adulthood. I will move on through life, filling the roles I can afford to fill, without influence apart from the ability to please but in that moment I did not feel alone.
I hug this thought repeatedly , and your kindness is like the autumn sun. The beauty of a life can remain unspoken, dreams kept secret, but for that fragmentary moment, to a man living on the edge of solitude, you brought a sense of harmony.
Expectations are very difficult to escape. I like the gentle treatment of this piece, Mr Ducks.
Sx
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Even as time passes there can be these fleeting moments when, without warning or for no apparent reason, someone floats past and touches our lives. Sensitively written, Peter.
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Crossing paths with a kindred spirit is ever powerful
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Nice written 🙂
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A beautifully gentle piece ..
Written by someone with an understanding of tenderness.
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oh so tender…
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Lovely sentiment, Peter.
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Peter,
always smiling when I read your words. xx
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Alway love you comments which, for some reason, end up in my “Waiting approval” box which is very rude of me. I apologise on behalf of Ducks everywhere :xx
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None of it’s easy, Peter, whether it’s your partner of 30 years, or a chance meeting of spirits that might be kindred. 🙂 🙂 But it’s always nice to dream.
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Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
Nice one Peter…
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