She was driving in the lane beside me, and I noticed her as we were both stopped at the light. I haven't seen her in forever! And then I remembered....
I'm in California, Margaret's in Kansas. We worked together, but I don't live in Kansas anymore, and that was most definitely not Margaret. But I glanced again, just for the heck of it. And sure enough, it had never been Margaret at all. I have no idea who that person was. But I miss Margaret. I miss her teasing me about my high energy levels, I miss how she came alive after the worst was finally behind her. But that wasn't her in that car.
I keep doing this a lot. For the last four months, I'm constantly recognizing someone....only to realize that can't possibly be them. That can't be their silhouette. And it's not even people I was friendly with, or that I knew. Just people in general. Like a fellow PTO member's husband. Wasn't him. A few different students from my daughter's former school. Not the same kids. A staff member. Nope. A few coworkers. No, no, no. Fellow parents. Most likely not. This lady I randomly saw around our town. I have no idea who she was. Sometimes I'm convinced I'm losing my mind. But when you go from something familiar, to a place where no one is familiar, it is most definitely different. And as it appears, it takes some getting used to.
But that wasn't Margaret I saw. And chances are, the next time I recognize someone, that won't be them either.
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