First of all, sorry if you get notified and read the blog on your email. I'm using multiple devices and having technical issues.I had to delete and redo this a few times.
I haven't used this laptop in months! (Hey, Santa! How 'bout a laptop for Christmas?) I must've never logged out properly because the tabs that were still open, which are so me, were: Zillow, Vegas Hotels, Air BnB and google flights. Happy holidays, everyone! I just got back from a walk and I'd like to tell you about that experience.
A Dream, A Walk, and the Unexpected Connections We Make
A few days ago, I had a dream that has stuck with me ever since. Dreams are funny things—they seem to come out of nowhere, yet sometimes they feel like they’re trying to tell you something. In this dream, I saw two men who had once been close to me in different parts of my life. One of them had been a constant presence; the other, only briefly. They never knew each other, but both have since passed away. While I occasionally dream about one of them, dreaming about the other was rare, almost unheard of.
That morning, I woke up, brushed it off, and went about my day. Then came a message: a friend’s family member had passed away. Somewhere in that conversation, I remembered the dream. It felt significant, almost eerie, but I hesitated to bring it up. How do you talk about a dream without it sounding like you’re making it about yourself, especially during someone else’s loss? The moment passed, and the conversation veered into something completely unrelated, leaving me with my thoughts.
Last night, I had another dream—this time about someone who is still very much alive, a man from my town. Let’s call him “the handyman.” I’ve never dreamed about him before, but in the dream, I asked him to fix something in my house. He’s good with his hands, always willing to help. When I woke up, I thought, maybe it’s a sign that I’ll finally get around to fixing what I’ve been putting off.
But then the day took an unexpected turn.
The Walk That Changed My Day
That afternoon, I went for a walk, something I do often. Normally, I know which route I’ll take, but this time I couldn’t decide. Should I go left or right? Up the street or down? Something told me to pass by the street where this man’s family lives. I’ve been missing his presence more than I thought I would. He’s been away for months, and though I’d heard he was in jail, I wasn’t sure.
Walking past his family’s house has become a ritual of sorts. Maybe I’m hoping for a sign, a parked car, anything that would tell me he’s back. It feels silly, almost obsessive, but he’s been kind to me in ways that have stayed with me.
Today, as I neared the house, I saw his father—or rather, his grandfather, as I later realized. He was in his yard, and just as I was about to approach him, a familiar challenge appeared: a dog.
The Dog That Won’t Quit
This dog is infamous in my neighborhood. It’s not just a stray—it’s a menace. It seems to have a radar for me specifically, popping up out of nowhere whenever I least expect it. This time, it was lurking again, creeping closer.
A truck pulled up, and a group of people—strangers—tried to help. One man even got out, attempting to shoo the dog away. I was touched by their kindness, but the dog was relentless, fixated on me. The old man noticed my struggle and offered me his walking stick for protection.
Finally, I decided to enter his yard for safety. He invited me inside his house, which gave me pause. Walking into a stranger’s home isn’t something I do lightly, but his warmth and the situation with the dog made it seem okay.
A Glimpse Into Another Life
The house was full of character, doors leading into more doors. It smelled clean, and the warmth of the place made me feel like it had been well-loved. The old man told me he’d been married for 72 years before his wife passed away six years ago. Imagine being married for that long and still describing it as happy!
He proudly shared that he was 100% Cherokee and showed me family photos, including one with five generations together. I learned he lives alone in this big house, cooking and cleaning to keep busy. He even offered me water and fruit, and for a moment, I felt like we were both fulfilling some unspoken need for connection.
 |
| Old man’s Christmas tree |
As I left his house, I remembered my dream about the handyman. It hit me: I’d been dreaming about his family, and now, by pure chance, I’d walked into their home. The details the grandfather shared were a mix of clarity and confusion—he mentioned visiting his grandson in jail and gave me conflicting timelines about when he might be back. Still, I felt like the pieces were falling into place.
On my walk home, I reflected on the randomness of the day. From the dream to the walk, the dog to the grandfather, everything seemed connected in a way that felt larger than coincidence.
The Small Moments That Matter
Life is full of these seemingly small, random moments that end up meaning so much. That walk, that conversation, even that persistent dog—all of it reminded me how much connection matters, even if it’s fleeting or unexpected.
Sometimes, the universe whispers to us in dreams, nudges us in random directions, or places people (and dogs) in our path for reasons we may never fully understand. And when we listen, even if it’s just for a moment, it can lead us to something extraordinary. I’m glad I went!
PS: What would you have done? Dog vs going to stranger’s house?
Let’s connect:
Here are the hyperlinks to https://www.instagram.com/babalwabrook/
2. Twitter (X): https://www.x.com/babalwabrook/
34. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babalwabrook
5. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babalwabrook
If you need me to tweak the links or add more platforms, let me know!
No comments:
Post a Comment