Blindly Out We Go

Blindly Out We Go

Susan went to bed with a renewed sense of energy; so much so that she lay there awake for what seemed an eternity.  All day she had been downloading self-help information into her system.  The postman had arrived early with books and CD’s on the law of attraction and ways to improve your life, and just showing gratitude.  She had submersed herself in this stuff all day.  Not that she wasn’t already aware of these concepts; she just hadn’t really consciously put them into practice.  Tomorrow was a new day, and just like the diets and other ventures, she would begin tomorrow.

As she lay in bed she mulled over all the exciting possibilities and how her life would form anew.  She didn’t feel she was a bad person, but her life could use some improvement.  She lay there praying to the universe, her guides, God, to make her a better person.  She would take time to smell the roses.  She would start just by doing one good deed tomorrow.  She fell asleep with this on her mind.

The alarm rang.  She ensued with her usual routine, dragging herself out of bed, making breakfast for her husband and children, getting them off to school.  She went to her computer, checked her email.  She looked up at the clock.  It was ten am all ready.  Where did the time go?  She thought, I was going to start my day with meditation.  Oh well, I have to get dressed and run errands now.  I will when I get back.  

While walking the dog Fluffy in the park, she saw an old school friend she hadn’t seen in years.  She had aged.  She had heard that her husband had recently died.  She thought about approaching her; but she felt awkward, not knowing what to say.  It had been so long.  She hadn’t kept in touch although several years ago they had run into each other and vowed to do so.  Susan just kept her distance, adjusting her pet’s collar, pretending not to see her.  She felt guilty that she had not even sent a note of condolence.  When she looked back up, she had vanished.  Susan felt relief and tried to banish any feelings of guilt from her mind.  Susan dropped Fluffy off at the groomers.

Susan stopped by a yarn store that was run by an elderly lady.  Susan would often take her knitting projects in and the lady was always helpful as was the group of ladies that seemed to be forever sitting at the same table day after day knitting away.  Susan needed their guidance for making socks.  Susan bought a small ball of yarn.  When the lady asked her if that would be all, Susan replied that she was only making socks, when in actuality she was making a sweater to match as well.  Susan thought it would be so much cheaper to get the remainder of the yarn at a discount store.  Any dye lot changes wouldn’t be noticeable by the time someone moved their eyes from the foot to mid body anyway.  It was somewhat off her route, but she got in her SUV and made the trek.

While on her way to the discount store, she came to a stoplight.  While sitting there she thought of Aunt Jane just one block up in the retirement home.   If she put on her blinkers and made a turn at this light she could go see her.  She really ought to go visit her.  The thought nagged at her.  Susan reasoned it away thinking of how much time it would take.  She would maybe need to sit there an hour with Aunt Jane to make it really seem like a proper visit.  The light turned green.  Susan drove on.  She thought the next time I go by here I will definitely stop.

She still had to make a quick run to the grocery before picking up Fluffy.  The store was crowded.  Susan got in the check out line.  She didn’t have too much, maybe a bag’s worth.  A man with a cane and carton of milk got in line behind her.  Susan smiled politely at the man as she placed her groceries on the counter.  She was only thinking of getting Fluffy and getting home for a bit of rest before the kids got home from school and before she had to make dinner.

She left the store.  Oh, no, there was an accident up the street.  This would delay her.  She sat there, knowing this was going to be a wait.  Luckily she had nothing like ice cream in her grocery bag, so the situation wasn’t dire.  There was a voice telling her to look to her right.  She thought how fortunate, I could cut though that parking lot and avoid all this. They were doing construction there; but the crew was absent today; so cutting across would be easy.  After all, she had an SUV.  This would make her way ahead of schedule.  She made her way onto the street to the other side.  Something wasn’t right.  She thought she had hit a bump, then another.  She pulled into a parking area, getting out of the car.  She not only had one flat tire, but two.  After verbally expressing her dismay, she checked her GPS for the nearest repair shop.  She angrily pulled her cell phone from her bag and called.

She grew frustrated while she waited.  She took out her yarn and began working on her socks.  Her sour attitude was weaving itself in the pattern.  Finally the mechanic got there.  He apologized for the delay, stating he had run into an accident up the street.  He kept telling Susan how grateful he was for her business, but at the same time sorry for her inconvenience.  Business had been so slow today until receiving Susan’s call.  He explained to Susan how he had a family with a baby on the way, and that his boss paid him extra for any road service calls.