Wise Conversations

My heart is broken, my world is shattered! Not only did I lose my Aunt to a senseless crime; One day before her funeral, my ex-boyfriend decided it was the perfect moment to end our seven-year relationship. What a pig! Alison’s the name, and here’s the story of how my luck changed the day of my Aunts funeral.

What some would consider to be a glorious Saturday afternoon; the sun shining, kids ride their bikes and some skate around the empty streets. Older men lounging in their front yard while some are gathered at a table playing spades, from the looks of it. I walked past all the fun, completely distraught and barely making it through the day. A hot day was an understatement, I’m glad I decided to wear my arms out, because this all-black fit has me burning up! How the sun is reflecting on my golden-brown skin, beautiful. However, I find myself picking up the pace to the bus because a tear appears from underneath my dark tented sunglasses. I can’t hold it in any longer.

I approached the bus stop. It looks empty. Great! Now I can let these tears loose! I’m sitting on the bench with my face in my hands, when I glanced up just in time as this older lady started to approach. I wiped my face and put my shades back on. The emotions that I was feeling in that moment was so overwhelming that I didn’t think being in public was healthy for me. “Just get on the bus and make it home” I said to myself.

It was something strange about the lady approaching me, it’s like she got dressed in the dark. Her clothes didn’t match; a yellow blouse with a thin blue jacket (Jacket? It’s HOT outside for a jacket.) I thought to myself. Her pants were hammer time pants, she walked with a cane but didn’t appear to need it. Her hair was neatly pressed and skin so youthful. This lady… she is a very interesting looking character. As she sits next to me my attention goes to the front of me, I don’t want to engage in conversation at this moment. I’m staring at my surrounding to avoid conversation because old people love to talk.

“Are you okay dear?” says the lady. I ignored her. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, however, if I open my mouth, I’m not sure what going to come out of it.

“I saw your tears from across the way, just thought I’d ask” she says. I can’t ignore her twice.

“I’m fine.” I spoke. Which was the worst response because you can hear the pain in my voice.

“I can tell something is bothering you, sweetie. And I’m sure the last thing you want to do is talk to a stranger on a bus stop bench.”

“You’re right, I don’t feel like talking.” I said trying to end the conversation.

“Well good, then you won’t mind listening to a little story?”

I started to get a bit annoyed, all I want to do is go home and soak my pillow. In my head I keep asking myself “Why is this lady so adamant in conversating with me? Why can’t this be a silent bus wait like the rest?” but then I think “Mind your manners Alison, the bus will be here soon.”

The old lady begins her story:

“Being the eldest of five kids in a single-family household in the 60’s, you grow up fast. My mom would go to work in early morning and come home late at night, so it was up to me to take care of my siblings and have diner ready for mom. That’s not much of a childhood, not at all. But back then it wasn’t uncommon. While a lot of my friends were drooling over one of those hot singer boys, I was making a plan to get my family out of poverty. I was 16 thinking like that.”

“So, when I got the chance I went off to college and left my tiny two-bedroom house, my mom, and other four siblings behind. I had all intentions to go back home one day to move my family out. I started to experience things that I’ve never experienced before. I experienced love, again and again, and of course pain. I experienced working under someone, rejection in so many ways.”

“Later on, in life after falling down and getting back up, thirty years later I experienced success in my very own cosmetic company. I finally made enough money to move my family, however, at that point half of my family were gone only two sisters were left. I’d lost my mom and two younger brothers. I buried myself into work made so much money, but I didn’t get to enjoy my family and share the fruits of my labor.”

“I always regretted that the most." She says gripping her cane. I found myself moved by her story, and I couldn't help but cry right in front of this lady.

"I wish I could've spent more time with my Aunt."

"Can I give you a hug." I disreagrded her appearance and old lady fagrance she gave off.

"Yes." She took me in her arms and the wramth that I felt allowed me to fully breakdown to the woman. Her spirit was genuine, I started to feel a bit lighter.

"It's going to alright, your Aunt will always be with you. And I'm sure the time that you did spend was everything to her." she said while rubbing my back. "I would like to gift you something." She reaches in that jacket and pull out a notebook. No way did that notebook fit in that jacket, I didn't notice it. She hands the notebook to me.

The bus start approaching and she says "GOD guided me over to you, and if I can help you by sharing a piece labor I pray that you go far. And one day you can help someone else."

I look at the notebook. "It's a notebook." I said. I was a bit confused, she is talking about the notebook like it was money. "Thank you."

"It's a magical notebook, it listen and don't talk back. Share your dream with it and manifest your goals." the bus pulls up and she starts to walk away from it. "Have a blessed day!"

Still confused I asked her "Are you not getting on the bus" but she didnt hear me and she walked away. I got on the bus thinking what an interesting day it has been. I open the notebook as the bus drives me home, strange its all fresh, crisp black pages. Thats cool. Wait whats this? a white envelope tucked halfway through the notebook. I opened it and my face lite up like I just saw a ghost. This lady left a 20,000 check in this notebook. I should get off and go catch her. Wait theres a note "May you find success and share the fruits of your labor with those you love, GOD bless you!"