I went to the park today during my lunch. Nothing special, I often go sit in the park to stare at the river flowing. For some reason, I think so clearly there. I normally don’t get out of my car. I just drive up, park, pray, and think. Today was different. Today, for the first time, I got out of my car. I took a few steps to see what spot would give me the best view.
Then, I saw him! He was sitting on the only bench that was near. It took me a while to make my way over, as I can be shy at times; however, something just pulled me to him, and so I went. I walked up and asked if I could join him, and he replied sure. He was much older. I always get excited around anyone older, as I have never experienced grandparents. He had binoculars hanging from his neck. I asked if he had seen anything interesting, and he said, “No, not yet. Not anything special anyway; just your average birds you see all the time.”
Right after he said this, three birds came flying by in the distance. I couldn’t tell what they were as I didn’t have my glasses, so I asked him whether he could tell what they were. They appeared to be three doves, but I wasn’t sure. Turns out the man couldn’t see any better. He stated, “Well, I believe they are doves; either that or geese.” We giggled!
He began to tell me about a bird he didn’t see anymore and how he missed it, and we both wondered why it seems they don’t come around anymore. He says, “As you get older, you’ll miss a lot of things. You get used to it.” He began to position himself as if he were going to leave. Then a small panic inside me burst. “WAIT! I needed, I mean, I wanted to ask you something.” He smiled and said, “Well, what’s that?” Is there anything in life that you get now that you wished you had gotten sooner?” He smiled even harder as if he never thought I’d ask. The man explained…” the first thing is and probably the biggest is that you can’t do it by yourself, “it” meaning life. Don’t even try, and don’t wait til you’re old to figure that out. Learn and accept it now; it makes life a little easier the sooner you learn that one. You need something, someone higher than yourself, to get through.
By the way, are you getting all that you need spiritually? I hope you are, and if you’re not, try. Learn what’s important now and base your living on that. We take so much for granted. Oh yeah, you should walk more. Take walks often. It’s good for you. You find that out when you’re old, too. Be careful with your chances. I took a lot of chances when I was young. After some of those chances, I shouldn’t even be here. Well, I’d say that’s about it.”
As he proceeded to get up again and as he began to walk away, he stopped and turned to me one last time, and said…you’re gonna be fine, you know. You’re going to get everything you want out of life. You’re capable of doing anything. You’ll be fine. Remember to feed yourself spiritually.” That was it. He turned back around and proceeded on his walk and bird watching. I stayed on that bench a little while longer, as expected, in even deeper thought now. As I got ready to leave, I realized we never said our names. I sat there wishing I had learned his name. Then, his friend walked up and began to yell, “Grover, hey Grover.” I was so happy to know this. I got in my car, and as I was driving away, Grover looked up and waved goodbye. His name was GROVER!