Normally, Kevin and I both box at Sweat Science Boxing and today I am going to go for a walk alone by the river and Kevin will be boxing. I feel as though I need to be in nature alone to reconnect. Since Sweat Science is in Inglewood, I'll head down with Kevin and walk by the zoo. It is so calm and beautiful down there. I took the time to watch the birds feeding on bugs on the river, robins digging for worms, beautiful Iris flowers blooming, the morning sun on Lilac trees and admiring the stressed wood on this building. What stories this building must be able to tell. They were simply beautiful. Walking in the bright morning sun, brought me to a place of peace and harmony. My heart was so very happy and my soul at peace. I slowed down to watch all the little things happen around me. Every once in a while, a runner or a cyclist would zoom past me and scare the living daylights out of me. I too was one of these people who had a destination in my mind and never stopped to watch the world. It was an interesting perspective for me today. There was such LOVE in my heart, and I cannot explain this amazing feeling.
One of the highlights of my day was talking with this gentleman named Mark. As I sat on the bench outside the coffee shop, Mark parked on the corner, with his rusty, clunky old truck. His co-pilot was a dog named Charlie. Charlie was a massive big dog. Through the window of the truck, he sat the same height as the man driving the truck. The man had all his windows rolled down and got out of his truck and then immediately went to give Charlie a kiss through the window. My heart melted! He loved his dog. I immediately said, "I love your dog! What is its name?" He replied, "Charlie, but she's a girl." This was now an invitation for Charlie to come out of the truck while he waited for the wine store to open up beside the coffee shop.
Charlie and Mark just came from swimming in the river. Charlie was soaking wet. Mark asked if it was okay if he joined me on the park bench with Charlie. Of course, I said yes, that would be nice. My heart was telling me that this man was a loner and his dog was the love of his life, and I was right. Mark showed me several tricks that Charlie could do and how well behaved she was. She was such a good girl and he was so proud. I told him about Reggie and our training and challenges, and he politely asked if he could give me some advice. I spent about 45 minutes talking with this man I just met. There was a piece of a broken heart that I could sense from this man. Near the end of the conversation, he told me that Charlie was all he had and she was his family. I now understood his love for his dog. Then he told me about his challenge to find a place to live that would take Charlie as she was a big girl. He had been living across the street paying $450/month and he was currently trying to find another place as he got a notice that his rent was increasing to $3000/month and he could not afford it. My heart sank. I asked him what he was going to do. His reply was, "We'll figure it out. We always do." God Bless him and his dog.
This man ended up not having much and what he had, he felt as though he was the richest man on earth! He never asked me for help or money. He just enjoyed a conversation with a perfect stranger, me. When the liquor store opened, he went and bought his booze, then asked Charlie to jump in the truck, and then he wished me a wonderful day. As he left, he yelled out his window, "Hey Sheena, (we exchanged names) don't give up on Reggie as he needs you and you need him." Then Mark and Charlie drove away down the roads of Inglewood.
Sometimes we over think how things happen and sometimes when we just live in the moment and enjoy what life has shown us, at that moment, that when all the beautiful things happen in life. Was it an accident that I ran into Mark and Charlie? I totally believe that things happen for a reason. Was Mark my messenger to remind me to slow down, be grateful and love everything you have around you and then TRUST it will all work out.
After Kevin finished boxing, we heading home to Reggie and to tend to our home. I told Kevin about the man I randomly met on the bench. Kevin just smiled. It was so interesting that we had such a calm, wonderful afternoon, as a family, in our home, sharing lots of love and affection. It was pure Heaven! Thank you, Mark and Charlie, for making my day extra special.
Until tomorrow!
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