“12,000!” she replied.
It was the number of steps she had on her Fitbit, and it was only 9 am in the morning.
I had asked. I did so after noticing the black rubber Fitbit, on her right wrist — lurking among her fine jewelry — bobbing up and down as she deposited the checks from my renters.
It is surprising what a little observation — and a dash and splash, and dip and blip of friendliness — can accomplish.
I love my bank tellers! They tell — if I ask.
We moved from exercise to food — she eats mostly veggies and fish — to her mom and grandma. Intimacy grows, when we hang out and talk. There was no one in the line at the bank, so why not?
Her grandma died at 107! Her mom is 105. How long will she live? We laughed about it — 120?
There are people, interesting people, people who are different from us, to be discovered in our world everyday.
Only a few days before, I stopped at a craft vendor’s jewelry stand in front of a market place in Liberty Station. More people riches! He was from West Africa. I shared that I have traveled in South Africa, and Swaziland. We connected. We confabulated. I asked for advice on a bracelet I was trying to reconstruct. He gave me an idea.
We parted, with warmth between us and a handshake — Africa and America slightly bridged. Before I left, I asked him what the wealth of Africa was. He wasn’t sure. I shared my observation, “Her brilliant, beautiful people, especially her young people.” He agreed.
This is the wealth of the world, the wealth of life, the best investment that you and I can make — people. People are our gold, our diamonds. They are not to be feared; they are to be loved.
I don’t think I’ll live to 120, but I wonder what cool people I might befriend today.
I can hardly wait!
Thrive! 