The Wandering Bark

by f. choy-kee

I was walking home today down Houston St.; past the Whole Foods and Landmark Sunshine, past the outdoor hand-ball courts and Russ and Daughters and past wave upon wave of people. Everything was pretty unremarkable. But then I saw something really perfect.

A father was walking toward me with his young son sitting on his shoulders. The boy was in tears. Instead of continuing to walk, he stopped, and placed his son down. The father then sat himself down in the middle of the sidewalk and (while balancing a pint-sized scooter in one hand) cradled his boy. People walked around them...and barely seemed to notice.

I'd never seen anyone do that before.

How often do we stop to give a person our full attention or compassion? How often do we let ourselves fully enjoy a moment without trying to share it with the next one? I'm guilty of not doing either as often as I should.

Dear Father with your young son on Houston St.,

thank you for being remarkable.

love,

Francesca