A Journey

Today I took my kids on the train to the city to have lunch with my sister. We sat upstairs in a three across seat and the kids were being really well behaved. They were talking about the things they were seeing out the window and asking questions. Yes, they were excited but they weren't talking in their high excited voice just their normal talking voices. I felt really proud of them and I know I couldn't have asked for more. There was an older woman sitting behind me. As I was sitting slightly side on to face the children and look out the window to all that they were seeing and asking about, I could see her just out of the corner of my eye. I didn't really take much notice of her but every now and then she mumbled something.... a sigh. "oh, Blast!", etc.... Then she got out of her seat and just stood there in the aisle next to her seat. An older man got on the train and sat in the seat behind us next to the window, and still the woman stood there. After few more stops the woman got off the train but as she was walking past us she made a comment. I turned towards her and was puzzled by what she said. It was the first good look I had of her and what I remember most about her was her long greying hair that was quite dishevellled, not quite up and not quite down. I turned back when she finished her comment and the man behind just raised his eyebrows and shrugged. I can't remember if these were her exact words but it was something like "You certainly know how to rip a persons heart". Wow! what a comment. In the past I think I may have looked back and wondered what I had done wrong, what was it that I or we had done to upset her but today it was a wondering of what must be tormenting her? what demons follow her? I didn't feel sorry for her and I didn't take ownership of what she said, it wasn't mine to own. They are her torments, her demons. After my initial inner thoughts & questions I just looked at my kids and smiled, knowing how beautiful they are, how lucky I am and how much I love them.

Comments

[Megan]

I am loving your stuff Ursula - What fun the children look like they are having.
A great example too of not taking on other peoples issuues - keep on blogging girl!
Mxx