Bubble Gum

I’ve been “off” for a few days now-more really, and seeing The Sound of Freedom didn’t help.  It’s a must see, however offensive, disturbing, and heart wrenching it is. It literally, ripped my heart out. Days later I’m still crying.  Even before this premier, I’ve been disconnected, snapping at people at work, not sleeping well, and a bit lost.  I’ve been trying to get back to center through prayer and meditation but it hasn’t been working like it usually does.

I was on my way to FedEx to overnight a book for school to my friend Noof.  I noticed a thin man dressed in a purple shirt, with white hair,  wearing a ball cap, walking by a long white picket fence.  The fence crossed a driveway.  The gates, closed.  He was an outsider, seemingly blocked from the splendor on the other side of these gates.  I could feel his sadness.  I sensed he was lost.  I identified.

The FedEx attendent was kind, helpful, and friendly.  She lifted my spirits.  As she was ringing me out I reached into my poketbook and pulled out my bubble gum.  I love bubble gum and am seldom without it.  I offered her some.  She smiled, ‘No thank you.”  I smiled having felt good about trying to be of service.

On the drive back I sent myself a text message “I have love in the form of bubblegum”.  What a great name for a book I thought.  Love in the form of bubblegum. No sooner had I sent myself this message did I see the man in the purple shirt again.  This time he was sitting on the steps in front of the graveyard a few short yards to the right of the white picket fence.  Immediately, Universe said “Stop and talk to this man” to which  I replied, “I’m not ready for that….what if he is mentally ill?  What if he hurts me, what if he wants something from me?”.  I drove by him.  Universe and I continued a dialog.  It said, “Turn around at least.  Check it out.”  “I can do THAT” I thought.  So I did.  I turned around and headed back toward my brother in consciousness.  As I approached, of course, there was a perfect spot to pull over.  So I did.  I pulled over.  He didn’t even look up from his phone.  I got out of the car.

“Are you all right?” I asked.  “I saw you earlier by the fence.”

“I’m having car trouble” he said.  Although, I saw no car.

“Do you need a lift?” I asked

“No, I have someone coming.” he replied.

“Do you want some bubblegum?” I asked with a smile.  “Bubblegum always makes me feel better!”

“Yes I do!” he grinned.  “That’s so nice of you.”

As I walked away I said “God loves you, and when I say God I mean the Universe!”

He replied, “God IS the Universe.”

I said, ‘we are all connected!”

He paused for a moment and we just looked at each other.  “We are, we are.” he said.

I got back in the car and drove.  It took all of about 10 seconds before I was sobbing with gratitude.

I gave love in the form of bubblegum.

Brenda H