THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED & PHOTOS BY ANDREA DIALECT
BRACE YOURSELF
Who Pushed Me?
If you were to be that fly on the wall when I’m out and about, and I were to run into some of my male associates and friends, you’d see them raise their arms and expand those hands as if to block the likelihood of me giving them a couple blows to the body.
While I spew off those words which support my bullying tactic, these gluttons for punishment play the timid, snotty-nosed kid whose shuffling feet and body dips and dive moves work nicely, as by the skin of the tooth they avoid my wrath.
When I speed-walk or jump out of the bus or car and run up on them – then there’s those that I mentally spar with as we dish those lick-backs during our verbal speed slaps of sarcasm. I have so much fun with those crazy folk, as do our onlookers. Most likely, they could knock me out cold in a milli if they wanted to. But each, who are smart as whips by the way, and such good guys – never ever would, I think (lol).
It is encounters such as those that make pushing through whatever has shown up, or what I am or am not dealing with, a bit easier. In those hoodscapes, there are so many good guys. Then there’s the ladies of all ages that I cut up with as I play their mama or whatever other role play they and I decide to do. Then there are those who push me ahead, who might just be children, my children, Granny’s children, or perhaps teens or those youngins like those who ride my bus weekdays daily, or those many sharp intellects – friends, family, or foes – that are always sharpening the ol’ dome.
Today, this morning, early a.m., I got a big unexpected push that flung me forward to the point that I had to catch my bearings. At 5:30 this morning, my oldest daughter swung by to bring me to work. It was her gym day. We rode together silently, listening to her morning tunes. My drop-off spot is pretty close, so include that with my daughter’s love of speed, and I’d arrived at the workspace before I’d blinked.
As I jumped out, she reached behind the seat and handed me a bag. “Mom, this is for you.” I got out, we said our farewells, and by that second blink, she had zoomed away. I was so happy for my surprise. I jumped in my bus and sped off. Wait – could she have gotten speeding from me? Naw (lol). I sped away from the lot only to maintain my normal speed of about 25 mph, let my kids and some of those sarcastic homies of mine tell it.
I didn’t open it right away because I decided to make it part of my Facebook live session of My Portal. I yanked it out of that lovely gift bag that I will be repurposing and carefully examined the neatly wrapped hidden item. It was beautifully packaged; the paper was of nice weight and good quality (which I will be repurposing, of course).
By the way of its shape and feel, I thought it to be a book. There was a small square-shaped card attached that read simply “Mom.” When I flipped it open, she said, and I quote (date 10/28/24): “Saw this and thought of you… Don’t give up!”
Signed Key, and there’s a tiny drawn heart and, above the words, three flowers – hand-drawn. I tried to call her after my Portal session, to say thank you for that push, her consideration, and the act of kindness. But she didn’t pick up. I guess she got that from me (lol). Oh yeah, it’s her gym day. So, I sent her a text that read along the lines of thank you and sealed it with a word-bow: “Ditto!”
So to you, I extend the same words of sentiment. “Ditto” I stand behind you now to give you that same push. Brace yourself (lol)… Don’t give up!
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DID YOU KNOW….
en·cour·age
Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).
“we were encouraged by the success of this venture”
(“give support and advice to (someone) so that they will do or continue to do something.
“help or stimulate (an activity, state, or view) to develop.
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