I must say, I love to observe the tapestry of life. How the scenarios create colors, rhythms, and can make knots or holes when a tiff appears. Once you take a moment to step back, the colors and the flow of this life tapestry is perfect in its imperfection.
I was flying home from California last Sunday and sat next to an adorable 7-month-old baby. His mother suggested I sit somewhere else so that his crying would not disturb me, but I chose to stay at my window seat because I love to look out the window, even at night. What was surprising was who disturbed me on this trip. His infrequent tears really didn’t bother me, but what did bother me was the woman sitting behind me who talked loudly and never stopped. If there was a lull in the conversation, she would fill in the gap by asking questions of her seat mates. The conversation went on and on and I wondered if she would ever stop. Indeed, for 2 1/2 hours, she did not. I definitely had a judgment of her which was creating a hole in my tapestry of life.
I did notice that her questions probed into what interested these young girls. She shared her wisdom of 30+ years and shared parts of herself as well. She did appear to really be interested in who they were. Towards the end of the flight, she mentioned her husband with great admiration and called him a rock star. My knot in the tapestry was my doubt that there was a man who could listen to this incessant chatter.
Glad to be off the plane at luggage, I saw her with her rock star husband. He was on the plane as well, just in a different row. He gently talked to her, kissed her, and I could sense that he adored her as much as she did him. He did not mind her chatter because he saw her good qualities and how she really cared for others.
This completely changed my view of this woman. Not everyone who is loved and is loving needs to fit into my mold. I drove home feeling content that even from afar I had met such kind and caring people. They come in many different packages and I can see I must keep my eyes open without filters to find them.
Lovingly,
Marnie Vincolisi
