9-23-10 - Inspired by the Unexpected

Today Mia and I sat in a Borders Bookstore using the internet. Mia sat down in a corner of the cafe' away from the main area so as to not disturb people with her typing. A little bit later, a vibrant older woman sat down a few chairs away and began to read her stack of books and magazines. After about two or three hours the woman finished up her reading, and turned Mia. "Hi, you seem to really like that computer." Those were the first words to a 20 minute conversation Mia really needed to be a part of.  Sylvia, we later learned her name, has a grandson who wants her to get a computer. Sylvia resists learning this technology though she herself admits it would be a good thing. Sylvia, tells about her wonderful family, and conveys much wisdom with in minutes.

"Don't look into the past, you'll get stuck there. Look to the future, and right now, that's the way to be happy. Carry the memories with you, but don't get stuck there." 


"Don't wish how things were, or how you could have lived it differently."  

"Remember to ask people into your life, you need people. Don't settle, wait for love.  It'll happen one day you'll be looking across the room, and see that person, and you'll know, just wait... you'll see, I'm right."


"Know who you are, and stick with it. You can't go wrong if you stick to what is true to you."

Sylvia said so much more, but those are the only ones I can remember right now. She added this wisdom and insight easily and comfortable into her conversation. She has a wonderful spirit, tender nature and an ease about her.  She spoke about her children, grandson, and deceased husband (gone 12 years) with such love I couldn't help but love them too.



Sylvia asked about Mia and I, we told her about our trip & what we were doing.  Sylvia then said words she couldn't have known Mia needed to hear:

"Keep doing what you're doing. It's important, people care and are listening. You need to complete this, don't lose heart. Keep going." 

Mia has been struggling with some home (family) sickness. Mia, misses them. She LOVES seeing everyone and catching up with people she hasn't seen in years, and she misses hugs from her family. It's been a struggle Mia has been struggling with for a couple weeks now. That and feeling like no one was reading, caring, or following anyway.  Something about this stranger saying it's important, and people are listening seemed more reassuring than logically possible.  There's no way for Sylvia to know this, she doesn't even have a computer, to follow along herself. But STILL something about her saying it, renewed Mia's faith that being out here is a good thing, and really whether others are "listening" or not.

It's important to Mia, important; as Sylvia said "Know who you are, and stick with it".

Mia agrees she wants to know who she is, and she will stick with it.