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It was another testing
day, but I only had one test. You do not need to hear any more
about this process. Then I spent the rest of the day eating and....
But I found a very
nice surprise in my mailbox. In reply to yesterday's Question
Down Below, a friend sends me this:
I was getting off of work -- it was a Sun-Times day, which
means I was in the city.
On these days, I rely on the "L" to get me around.
As usual, I made my way down to the underground tunnels at the
Grand Avenue stop. And, as usual, I missed the train and was
forced to wait a whole ten minutes for the next one.
The silence down there is maddening. I've now been riding
the "L" long enough, at the same stops, that I've read
all of the advertisements, all of the graffiti on the walls.
Now I just pace back and forth, avoiding eye contact with anyone
else who happens to be there.
With only a couple of minutes to go until the next train arrived,
I perched myself up against a pole and got a little sad. I noticed
on the other side of the pole was a happy little couple, nuzzling
and cooing. While part of me wanted to vomit, another part of
me was reminded how much fun it is to be in love. Especially
at Christmas. Especially when you just broke up with someone
...
Anyway, there I was, stewing in my own juices of misery, when
I saw the outline of the front of the train approaching. I noticed
the front has Christmas lights around it. "That's kinda
cute," I thought.
Then, in one fast swoop, the train sped through in a blaze
of lights and garland ribbons and bows. One car was removed
and there sat Santa -- I swear to God, it was Santa -- and his
sleigh. Elves pranced around, wishing everyone a "Merry
Christmas."
As I stepped inside the car, everyone was laughing. The traditional
dismal, bland lighting of the car was replaced with red and green
fluorescent hues. The poles were transformed into candy canes.
It struck me that we -- all of us on the car -- we're laughing
with each other, talking and smiling. What is usually an exercise
in avoidance was now an outpouring of cheer and merriment.
When I got off on my stop, the toniest of riders ran like
they were children once again to get a glimpse of Santa before
the train pulled off again.... to tell you the truth, I ran too!
Br. Tom -- it was the best $1.50 I ever spent! I never would
have thought that the Chicago Transist Authority would bring
me the Christmas spirit!
Thanks, friend - and Sorry: It was
just too good to keep to myself.
Since yesterday's question elicited
such an awesome tale, I've decided to stick with it for a while.
Come on, I know something good has happened to you today. Maybe
it was something tiny, not very dramatic.
Like this morning before the second
testing period I was sitting in what we call The Lounge outside
of the cafeteria, an adult presence in a sea of students busy
doing all the things students do while waking up and waiting
to take some tests. Nothing happened. I just watched them all
while I pretended to read a book. I was an objective observer,
then I tried to imagine my way into this or that kid's life right
then. They had such an easy uneasy way with each other. Girls
and boys, and girls and girls, and boys and boys all talking
or silent, reading or playing, tiny aggressions and retreats,
the way they would touch and not touch ... here this morning.
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