Do you see me?

“Children are looking at what do you mean, what do you feel … does your face light up, do they know you’re really there?” ~ Toni Morrison

Oprah takes Toni Morrison’s question to the next level: “Everybody is looking to see, ‘Do you see me, Do you see me?’”

Do you really see me?

I have had a couple opportunities to live the “Enter My Room” lesson since writing my last blog. Something that has happened to me of late since not being able to place weight on my left foot; since the crutches, but especially since getting my little knee walker. People talk to me out of the blue – people that may otherwise not see me, caught in their own little world. They ask me a lot about my knee walker, it seems to open up conversation and sometimes the conversation moves onto other things.

Case in point, Sunday Lydia and I were out and about at our favorite place to get our vegetable plants – Naylor’s Hardware. As we were making our second pass at things (we’d already checked out but had forgotten to get our soil and amendments [read : chicken poop]), this couple noticed my knee walker and started asking me about it. Shortly thereafter, an older gentleman approached me and asked what had happened and who had performed my surgery. I told him who it was and where they were located and shared with him my high regard for the way I’d been treated at the Center. Eventually we got off topic and he started telling me about Bowen Therapy (of which I’d never heard) and on down the line we started talking about alternative healing, vitamins and minerals, and complementary therapies. It was most unusual to experience this and to go “there” with a perfect stranger so quickly.

We talked for a good bit – maybe 30 minutes – we talked of where he lives, my formal education, etc., and eventually he asked me what I do. I told him I’d been an environmental consultant for 4 years following grad school but now I am moving toward broadening my knowledge and experience in the healing arts.

We eventually exchanged names and phone numbers. I will be honest, I did not know if I’d hear from this person again, I didn’t even know that I was going to use the phone number to contact him. He shared some of the books he had in his vehicle with me, Beating Cancer with Nutrition and another one whose title escapes me right now. As we began to wrap up the conversation, he told me something to the effect of meeting me and me being on a different plane than most people when it came to all of this stuff.

Lydia patiently stood by until our conversation closed. Although a couple times thoughts entered my mind such as –it’s hot outside (at one point in the conversation, he suggested we move into the shade), my Lydia must be bored to tears, etc., -- I was able to bring myself back rather easily to the room. Back to BEing; ensuring I was present for this gentleman and present for myself.

This gentleman entered my room for a reason. He entered my life and has blessed it already. He called me a couple times last night and the second time I answered the phone (I didn’t recognize the number). It was rather late at night for me, but I really enjoyed the conversation – and listening to him. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge and wants to share so much.

Although I am not sure why he has entered my room, I don’t have to know why. I just need to accept the blessing as it is. I feel quite sure that this soul sees me – sees me for who I am; even if I am not quite sure who that is. He is holding a space for my BEing and I need to reciprocate and give my attention, mind, and peace to him when he is in my room.