Friday 27 November 2009

An Encounter

On the way to the station this morning (on foot of course), I passed a small round West Indian lady, who emitted a kind of yelp. I gave her a mildly inquiring look and she told me not to worry, she was just glad to be alive. She'd woken up this morning full of the joy of it, and, though she hadn't a bean in the bank and no idea what she was going to do with the day, she rejoiced in being up and about in God's world. I applauded her sentiments. She was especially bucked, she told me, laughing, because someone at Mitcham Junction had kindly given her two cabbages. She showed them to me - one large cabbage, one small - in a plastic bag. I congratulated her and shook her cordially by the hand. She went on her way rejoicing, and I strode off, warmed by the enounter, to catch my train. We all should rejoice, and often - why do we so seldom have the heart for it?

15 comments:

  1. Answer: Because we so seldom get given two cabbages at Mitcham Junction.

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  2. Nige, I often feel I'm in receipt of a digital cabbage or two having visited your site. I sometimes even emit a virtual yelp.

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  3. So nice, being awarded the Grand Order of the Brassica on a cold November day, you should get some Nige, butterflies feed on 'em.

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  4. So rare is it, in London anyway, to come across anyone rejoicing in just being alive, that it is truly shocking when you stumble upon it as you did Nige. Your post reminded me of a simple pavement passing I was part of a few days ago, the cavalry twilled & viyella'd old boy just lifting his head slightly, his eyes meeting my gaze, and a sweet smile batted over to me, forcing the scowl from my face. What a shock it was.
    At Mahlercorp I find myself in the neck of many woods, but it seems to be that the further away from the centre of Londinium you travel, the more pleasant folk become.

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  5. London is Anger Central.

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  6. In the 1960s genuine Londoners were very friendly, and like Strictly's Len.
    All except that twerp who lived upstairs, but he was a lawyer.

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  7. lovely site. nice opinon.i.e.in London anyway, to come across anyone rejoicing in just being alive, that it is truly shocking when you stumble upon it as you did Nige. car rental.

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  8. what a site. tremendous opinion.someone had kindly given her two cabbages at Mitcham Junction.cheap cosmetics.

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  9. in London anyway, to come across anyone rejoicing in just being alive, that it is truly shocking when you stumble upon it as you did Nige.car rental

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  10. Your post reminded me of a simple pavement passing I was part of a few days ago, the cavalry twilled & viyella'd old boy just lifting his head slightly, his eyes meeting my gaze, and a sweet smile batted over to me, forcing the scowl from my face. What a shock it was.

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  11. Excellent post.Your post reminded me of a simple pavement passing I was part of a few days ago, the cavalry twilled & viyella'd old boy just lifting his head slightly, What a shock it wasyeast infection

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  12. Tremendous opinion.someone had kindly given her two cabbages at Mitcham Junction

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  13. Nice opinion i.e. in London anyhow, to come across anyone delighting in just being alive, that it is truly appalling when you trip upon it as you did Nige…..

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  14. its a great moment when i read this and know a part of truth about London especially in winter. so excellent that butterflies feed on them. thanks fro sharing this reviews with all.

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  15. Nice experience to share, some times we find such situation in our life in such places where we don't expect to get situation like this.

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