I participated in a weird phenomenon today. I was walking through the snow, on my way to class. Ahead of me, walked a big girl—probably a freshman or sophomore. Since I couldn't get a good look at her face, I based my guess on the fact that she was picking handfuls of snow off of the evergreen bushes, crushing them in her large hands, and slinging them aimlessly into other piles of snow.
I gradually lessened the distance between us. (I should also mention that I have a habit of walking almost silently. It's a consequence of years of ballroom dance and subconsciously wanting to be a ninja.) She hovered near the inside of the sidewalk where the snow was good for the getting, so I began to pass her on the street side. With any luck, I would be able to pass her by completely unobserved. Just as I was about to turn to cross the street and into oblivion, she turned into me. This is where the strange part happened:
She shuffled away, leaving me stunned and contemplating.
What a beautiful notion—the concept of instinctively looking at people and not only be willing to accept friendship, but smiling and initiating friendship.
As I walked to class, I tried to keep that sentiment in my heart. I am ready to be your friend, and your friend, and yours. And here is the result:
EVERY SINGLE PERSON I PASSED BY SMILED AT ME!
Weird. And very cool. Thanks, big, freshman, friendly girl.
I gradually lessened the distance between us. (I should also mention that I have a habit of walking almost silently. It's a consequence of years of ballroom dance and subconsciously wanting to be a ninja.) She hovered near the inside of the sidewalk where the snow was good for the getting, so I began to pass her on the street side. With any luck, I would be able to pass her by completely unobserved. Just as I was about to turn to cross the street and into oblivion, she turned into me. This is where the strange part happened:
"I'll BeYourFriend!!?! Oh, sorry" she blurted out.Wait, what? I immediately thought to myself. Did she just she say...what I think she said?
She shuffled away, leaving me stunned and contemplating.
What a beautiful notion—the concept of instinctively looking at people and not only be willing to accept friendship, but smiling and initiating friendship.
As I walked to class, I tried to keep that sentiment in my heart. I am ready to be your friend, and your friend, and yours. And here is the result:
EVERY SINGLE PERSON I PASSED BY SMILED AT ME!
Weird. And very cool. Thanks, big, freshman, friendly girl.
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