Not Now

Do you ever have one of those days, when you are feeling hurried? You need to be somewhere at a set time, yet something else has to be done en-route.

For example, I may have to be at home to take a child somewhere, but I also must stop at a store, on the way, to pick up something the child needs.

This trip may be barely possible, within the constraints of time, provided everything flows smoothly.

It is typically under these exact circumstances that I run into the “talker”. You know the one I mean, the friend or associate, you have not seen in 5 or more years, who sees this as a sign from God that we need to catch each other up, right here, right now.

Sometimes I wish I wore a watch, so I could glance at it a few times during a conversation, just to be subtle; but I do not. So, I have to make statements like, “It is great to see you, but unfortunately I have to fly.”

The “talker” is not to be deterred by a little thing like “my” schedule. This is an opportunity, a serendipitous event, which must be exploited, or else it could be forever lost.

Eventually, as the tension of my impending deadline grows too great, I blurt out, “I do not mean to be rude, __________ but, I have to pick my kid up.”

With any luck, the person will not follow you to the checkout stand. Usually, they just look like you disrespected them and go on their way.

You can each suggest calling, but there is probably a reason you have not crossed paths in the last 5 or more years, so you let it go.

In the big scheme, I know such events really are serendipitous. I am sure there is a reason that I crossed paths with the “talker” at the exact moment when it was impossible for me to be present in any type of extended conversation.

Maybe it was just so I could stand in my own truth, without worrying about whether or not the other person would like me. Perhaps it was a reminder that this old friend still has stuff to teach me.

I admit I do not know the reason I manifest these types of experiences.

I do find it curious, even funny when I am not caught up in the stress of the moment.