I Forgot My Phone

I forgot my phone. I did it on purpose but I felt regret the moment we started the walk. How would I capture the beauty, joy and peace of this moment? It called to mind something like “A blustery day in the seven acre woods”. So I stared long and hard. I listened intently and felt carefully. I could not rely on a photo taken in haste, I had to drink this in with all of my own senses.The sky was bright blue and a soft moon was stamped full in the west. The sun was bright and warm and a cool breeze whipped our hair. It pushed the leaves out of the trees so that they swirled and scattered across the sky. They somersaulted and pattered in unison down the path, chasing after cars and bikes. I watched them roll and listened to the percussion.

I forgot my phone so I stared long and hard. I listened intently and felt carefully.

The wind whipped their hair, they threw leaves into a frenzy and laughed deep belly laughs. We walked and each passerby we saw was greeted with a wave and a hearty “hello!”.This year has been rife with uncertainty and division, but my children do not know. They don’t know the name of the news man, but they know the face of the gentleman who walks the same path we do. We saw each neighbor in the flesh and exchanged wide smiles. I saw them, they saw me. I am a mother, you are a father. I am a daughter, you are a son. 

“Just like I said yesterday, mama, our neighbors are friendly.” Yes they are. 

The leaves somersaulted and pattered in unison down the path, chasing after cars and bikes. 

The crisp air filled our lungs and my mind fell quiet. It’s funny how that happens when we’re out without those invisible tethers. The ones that call our attention with chimes and buzzes. Even when they don’t beckon us we use them to pacify ourselves. Something to do with muscle memory- I only meant to lift it from the counter but now I’m scrolling. Not here though, not now. I forgot my phone. I did it on purpose and that twinge of regret I felt is fading because the calm is washing over me and I can see everyone’s eyes more clearly. I hear their voices without distraction. I am a mother and you are a father. I am a daughter and you are a son. Here comes the spry gentleman who walks the same path in the opposite direction. His hair is long, curly and silver so I know he must be older but he walks with a vigor and bounce that suggests he may be a sort of fantastical character, like the ageless elves I’ve read about. His eyes beaming “Hello, fellow walkers!”

Yes. So we are. The statement strikes me. A jolting reminder of where I am in this world and what I’m doing. I am a fellow walker. Walking homeward and meeting neighbors along the way. May I appreciate the beauty and blessings as they dance and flutter. May I greet each neighbor with warmth and good news modeling a childlike faith. And may I not forget that I am merely a fellow walker heading homeward.