The Little Things.

Ever have something that occurs on a daily basis that you expect as a part of your routine? An Alarm clock going off, birds chirping outside your window(if you live somewhere where the solar rays grace) or a pet licking your face with icky breath to say good morning?

On my way to work , I usually see this little black boy about 8 or 9 wearing these ginormous headphones, rocking out to the beat, while walking his dog down to the park with a huge smile on his face. It completely makes my day.

I always wonder what it is he is listening to in his personal surround sound and my maternal instinct (yes, I have the instinct) hopes that the volume isn’t too loud so he doesn’t damage his young ears. I picture him listening to Jay Z some days and others I think he could be listening to the Jackson 5. I don’t know, but this little guessing game keeps me entertained. Whatever that joy is that is keeping that smile on his face, I want some of it.

I had gone a couple weeks without seeing him (leaving late and missing his walking time) and today there he was on the corner. Just him, his dog and those headphones. As he stood on the corner waiting to cross the street, I just smiled in his general direction as he anticipated running across that intersection the second the light allowed. Then he waved. No, not to me, but to a cop passing by and my heart seriously melted in this tiny gesture of recognition.

Maybe because of all the strife the minority community is having with police officers in Portland which prompted Jesse Jackson to visit (ugh, another blog in itself) and to see this young black boy smile and happily wave to a white cop just did something to me.

It’s these simple things that really can make our day, but so often they go overlooked. With all the stress and craziness that can enter our lives daily, it’s easy to find a way to not pay attention to the little pleasantries that life offers. For me, it’s a boy, his dog, and oh yes, his beats.