You would think such a serendipitous meeting would happen in an old New England bookstore with used books and rare editions, but if providence wants to happen in Barnes and Noble in the center of downtown, I’ll take it. I had decided to return a Christmas gift. I had chomped through the first bit of the book, and was really enjoying it, which surprised me since I’ve been rather anti-reading-for pleasure for quite some time. The story was great and I actually cared about the characters, but it was also filled with a lot of dark. It is something that I have questioned more than once. Life can be evil. And the unthinkable actions of others can affect and harm the innocent. How do I preserve my naiveté, while not turning away from the suffering and want that exists? If I have a desire to help teenagers, should I not be cognizant of what goes on behind closed doors? And it is a personal choice. Different causes result in a variety of effects on people. And whether it is the bulk of my imagination or the sheer covering of my heart, for whatever reason, I packed the book up and took it back. The added drag in my feet had been the giver of the gift, who I knew spent time carefully selecting the book, and will no doubt ask how I enjoyed it.
I was delayed the first time I tried to return it. All of Huntington Ave. shut down in some rare accident, and the bus that I was on had to take a large, unexpected detour.
The next time, things went smoothly, and I happily dumped the thick, hardback novel out of my backpack onto the counter in exchange for a “Star Girl” gift card. As I walked away, I heard my name, and there he was. A dear friend from college, and one with whom I knew things were still incomplete. There was mutual joy in the “chance” reunion, and we promised to meet up again soon. He immediately recounted the times we had spent at a family’s house (unknown to him, it was the branch president).
The amount of joy I felt on the way home was enormous. I felt so much excitement, energy, and light. There was a clarity in my mind and a confidence that I can accomplish everything that needs to be done. And these feelings had been missing the past couple of weeks. I knew once again that I was part of a crazy cross stitch where God guides my steps to intersect with someone else’s in a pattern only He could design.
There are so many good things to read, why spend my time on something that potentially is not?
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"Sheena Bean", "Beaner", "Sheenie Beenie" A bean I am, so clever that I'd land in Beantown.
101 Things to Love in Boston
- The U.S.S. Constitution: This is one of the sights on the Freedom Trail. I have never been on the boat, or done the official tour. What I have done that was lovely was go see the ship at night (you can see the lights of the city in the background). A nice navy officer who had to be on patrol all night gave a great history of this ship. Interesting fact: the navy used this ship to end the slave trade.
- The Battle at Lexington Reenactment: In the wee hours of the morning on Patriots’ Day, hundreds of people gather to the Lexington green to watch this. At 5:30 AM, the center of Lexington is packed, and soon soldiers in full costume appear to reenact the battle where the first shot of the Revolutionary War was fired. Even if you do not visit on Patriots’ Day, Lexington is lovely, and the Old North Bridge and Concord are worth a few moments for history’s sake.
- The Boston Marathon: Usually takes place around the 20th of April…This is one of those things that sometime in your life you need to experience. Massive crowds of screaming college students are joined by many people who get the day off work for a Massachusetts’ holiday, Patriots’ Day. Maybe it’s just because I love running, but watching the marathon is an emotional, inspiring experience for me. To see people giving everything they have physically, and to see other hoards of people cheering them on is a fabulous thing.
- The fountain in the Christian Science Plaza. When I was a little girl I always wanted to go swimming in the fountains that were in our local mall. Well, now I can, and I have. On hot summer days, this place is packed with kids in their swimsuits running back and forth. Further on, there's a large reflecting pool. Sunbathers can lay out and still keep cool by putting their heads up against the water that flows off the pool.
- The Garment District: This huge building is full of clothes. all sorts of clothes. junk, vintage, classy, whatever... the bottom floor is $1 per pound. At the beginning of August their upstairs had a "absolutely everything is 50% off sale". I got a pair of winter boots, a pair of jeans that actually fits, a pair of nice dress slacks, and two work-appropriate sweaters for $31.25. not bad, eh?
- Johnny D's for weekend brunch: live music, delectable food, and a neighborhood feel
- Speakers, speakers, speakers! With so many universities and colleges there is always someone interesting speaking. Favorite thus far: Geoffrey Canada, preseident of the Harlem Children's Zone
- The fact that I can get to the airport from where I live for $1.70. It's not every city where you don't have to pay a $50 cab fee to get to the airport.
- Jamaica Plain: There's just a nice sense of energy on the main drag that runs through JP.
- The Emerald Necklace: A delightful series of ponds, lakes, and parks just south of the city.
3 comments:
That's how He works! Sometimes we actually get frustrated by how things are going but only to realize it was for the better. You must read, if haven't already, the ensign article: "The Blessing of the Blackberry Bush" (Ensign, Feb. 2009, p53).
Yay for Pascal! Things should not be taken as chance or happenstance, when God is so busy at making life beautiful for us.
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