Today I sat in a cafe
By the window to ensure I could see the holiday lights outside.
I ordered a coffee and a pastry
Enjoyed the ambiance and delights.
I grasped the cappuccino mug in my hands
Hoping to warm my system up.
I stuck my fork into that pastry
Felt guilty about messing its appearance up.
That warm milk and coffee mixture
Tasted perfect on my tongue.
The pistachio was delightful
One bite will not be enough.
I grabbed my journal from my bag
I realized that I had forgotten my pen.
I asked to borrow one from the server
I began to write as I slid into my zen.
The moment that ballpoint connects with the paper
I am locked in as moments pass.
The volume that surrounds is dimmed
As I focus, here within.
Moments go by in what feels like seconds
Those around me seem to stop.
In this instant, something changed
As I felt eyes around me lock.
To my right, the window
On its opposite an outside ledge.
Standing shoulder-height to me
On the opposite of that glass
Stood a baby dressed in a puffer
Whose attention I had grasped.
I locked eyes with his
His smile perked up.
He began to wave and make faces
My attention clearly struck.
He paced along the ledge
Never losing his glance at me.
He laughed and touched the window
As we played peek-a-boo through the glass.
His whole family now laughing
As they paid witness to this scene.
Two people having fun
Communicating through the glass.
A non-verbal conversation
For those ten minutes we would have.
The man I assume was his dad
Took him down off of that ledge.
He was not a fan of that decision
As he shifted from happy to sad.
I diverted my attention.
His dad placed him back onto the ledge.
You should have seen his face
As he caught my focus again.
His eyes glowed as if I were Santa
He smiled ear to ear.
He stomped around in the puddles
He was happy to be here.
I could not stop myself from laughing
As I began to smile, ear to ear.
He was so happy to interact
Regardless of whether knowledge of me was had.
That little boy in his baby puffer
Made my day through our exchange.
His heart was pure as he interacted
With me through that window today.
As his family walked away
We all exchanged waves as goodbye.
He starred at me over his mom's shoulder
As he faded further into the night.
It is amazing what interactions can do.
What non-verbal exchanges can mean.
Our gestures and expressions
Outside of ourselves are seen.
When children see the world
They learn things anew.
They have no innate understanding
Of what is around. Of me or you.
Their fresh perspective allows them space
To see all for who they are.
They interact with the world
As if no rules play a part.
I learned from that boy today
He could not have been older than two.
I learned from his excitement
From our interaction through the glass.
I was reminded to approach the world
With a gracious and open mind.
To challenge my understanding
To ask the question why?
To be present where I am.
To entertain interactions that come my way.
To learn from other people,
Regardless of their age.
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