A letter to the man in a blood-red golf T

A letter to the man in a blood-red golf T

Last week I had the most profound experience. It ruffled at my heart, and moved to surprisingly humble it a little while later. 

I had just come back from a weeks assignment. I was tired after a long nap under the blazing Durban sun, waiting five hours for a flight that was to leave at 14:30. I was missing home, my bed and familiarity real bad. Aching, disoriented... kaput. The time came and we (I was traveling with a friend Merise) dragged our feet to check in... Slightly late. Relived to have an escape of sorts for the next two hours, we happily moved to our seats. The very last thing I expected was a bitter old man (though i think pain and hardship lined his younger face prematurely) seething at the thought of having to get up and let us in. His face scrunched up as if he'd sipped at sewage and was pinched at the sensitive parts of his inner thigh at the very same time. I was amazed at such anger. It weighed on him heavily and quickly had my face gathering in a frown; he was pissing me off! 

Yes, a tad late, I had hand luggage that needed to be safely stored away. My friend was already seated, knocked out by the negative energy; I gracefully made sure my bags were safely stored away. I was finally ready for my window seat, and the said man in his blood-red golf T stiffened up once more to make room for me. I smiled (i'll admit with slight exaggeration) and said "thank you", in my sweetest high pitch voice. I sat down and fought to find comfort amidst an audible tension. It came. I closed my eyes and the  sun gently kissed the tops of my eye-lids, hushing me to sleep. The man in his blood-red golf T slowly drifted from my thoughts. I propelled myself to the sweetest parts of my subconscious. 

Sometime later I awoke feeling lighter... A hint wiser. I knowing voice had joined me. Our row was asleep and awoke just after I had ordered myself a sweet treat from the air-hostess. Perfect! I had needed the bathroom but my heightened respect for those in their sleep held me back. Ive always felt it disrespectful to wake people up in their ultimate state of being, of bliss. And if I was ever forced, I tried my best to make it a sound transition. I stoop up, gently touch the man in the blood-red golf T on the shoulder, whispering, "I need to go to the bathroom, you were asleep and I didn't want to wake you." He awkwardly acknowledged me... Sensing a hint of kindness. A tiny one. 

We were finally back in Cape Town. Bliss. I was ready for a serious session of sleep. We collected our goods and headed out of the plan. Upon exit, I ran toward the man in the blood-red T who was several steps ahead of us. "I know that deep down inside you are a really nice man", I told him. I then handed him a note I had written him, telling him what my wish was for his heart: love and peace(amongst other things). I wished him well and encouraged him to visit this blog. I truly hope he did, and will continue to do so. 

What happened to me between that rigid reception, my sleep, and touchdown healed me. The thing is no one is born angry. No one humans inclination is to hurt and reject another. This is learned behavior. After awaking from my nap, i decided i wanted to love the man besides me. That could have been the worst day of his life, he could have lost a loved one. I don't know what his story is, but i know that he needed light not darkness from me that day. I awoke, grabbed a piece of paper and pen, and wrote a love note to a stranger in red. 

Stranger. Thank you for the lesson. I wish for your heart peace, joy and an undoing that you so deserve. You are loved, more than you know.  I hope you find your way to this page... If so... Write me. Lets have coffee!! Lets not worry about that experience. What matters is always what we do next. 

I wish you well... 

Vuyi