iChef Journal [5.22.01 Monday] Again - I haven't written for a while - about for a week. For one thing, this morning was pretty interesting - or more like weird -> strange. Jenny called at 7:30 am to ask if I could reserve the editing room for her an extra 2 hours (we have a project due tommorow). So I heard her leave a message on the answering machine. I was way too tired to pick up the phone. I finally got up at 8:30 and I went out to the living room to find Sam there. I talked to him a bit and he told me that he was up till 7ish, and he was really tired. He says "Hey Ben... sorry about... " and then this guy walks over to me. I had seen him before at Price Center. Kinda weird because he asked me about this video tape that I had with me. Then he gave me a strange smile and replied: "I'd like to see that too." I was a little surprised by his reponse. And then he walked away... He says: "I had to go pee, so if you don't mind" as he approaches the couch. Sam gets up off the couch and then so do I as the stranger curls up onto our couch with his shoes on. Sam then looks at me kind of apologetically and says "Yeah, sorry Ben, I brought him home last night." My mind quickly flashes back to the time that I met this man at the Price Center. I turned to Sam and nodded my head in acknowledgement. I tried to use my body language to tell him that it was okay, but inside I was a little confused and maybe even more, a little concerned. Mike got up and checked out the living room too. When he saw Sam curled up on the floor next to the stranger on the couch, he was taken aback a little - just like I was. We made eye contact and we seemed to share the same feelings of concern, surprise, unfamiliarity and understanding. I got the rest of my stuff together and I left for school. /At School/ I've had a lot of time to think about what had happened and how I reacted to it. Initially, like I said before, I was concerned about this guy. Just afraid that he might hurt me, or mess something up and worse of all, hurt Sam. A little more thought made me realize the reality of his (the stranger's) life with mine. How he was a guy with physical needs just like myself. I came to recognize that I had a lot to learn in terms of caring for others and being open to all people. And Sam. We've talked together about things and He's often told me about his struggles with loving other people. Just getting to know others for the sake of getting to know them. Struggles to relate to people and to really caring about them. He's asked me how to do it and I tell him that it takes some time and effort on both sides. It's cool how Sam puts money where his mouth is. It's cool that I have a lot to learn from a guy like Sam. You're cool Sam. Happy belated birthday. ___________________________________________ | previous | journal (i need a good name) | next |