Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Who knew?

One of the things I loved about Portland when I moved here was the small town feel to a city. Seattle is more citified than Portland--though they are similar in climate and mentality. There is still that small-town feel here even after all of these years.

This morning I finally got my old routine back. Even with the time change making my alarm in my head a little shaky, I managed to get up within 15 minutes of my usual 4 AM time. I did my power walk (Thanks, Leslie!) and had a less than exciting breakfast since I'm doing a cleanse day (first since I got this sinus stuff!) and got ready for work and made it to the park & ride at my usual time.

I get there early--I like to be first in line to get the better seat. It was a good 10 minutes before I had any company. The first one who showed up was a guy I know by sight and occasionally share a "hello" with in the morning. He came up and said "I know I'm probably going to sound very personal but "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN??". I laughed and told him since I saw him last I had a gall bladder attack, drove myself to the ER, had surgery and stayed in a hospital, recovered at home for 2 months, got a sinus attack that kept me from riding the bus for another couple of weeks and bought a house. He said that was a lot of change in a few months and some was good and some wasn't. :)

The next person who showed up was Vicki. We've talked for a long time and know each other as much as you know someone at a bus-stop and share life. She came up and threw her arms around me in a big hug. She and the guy talked about what a shock it was to see me standing there when they drove in. The guy said he nearly ran his truck up on the sidewalk when he saw me. Vicki apologized to the guy for taking over the conversation but insisted we exchange phone numbers and full names. We'd never gotten to the last name stage in all the time we knew each other. Another woman who I rarely talk to but see came and gave me a hug too. It was quite touching how all of them had worried about me and wondered where I was. No one knew me well enough to call me or even remembered where I work to contact someone there. Vicki can do that next time (hopefully not another surgery!) with her info.

Apparently the regular riders had discussed me at length and were very concerned about me. I admit I figured they would notice my absence and wonder at it since it was so long but I really didn't expect them to be so concerned and worry about me. It ranged from me being ill to losing my job and not riding the bus downtown for work. In this economy not a surprise that someone would lose their job. I saw one regular rider working at the local Bed,Bath&Beyond. I'm not sure if he lost his job downtown or just got a part-time job to make extra money. I was hesitant to ask--feeling it would be awkward for him if he was working there now but I think the next time I go and see him there I will ask. It does matter that someone notices and cares. I certainly feel that small-town feeling this AM. I'm happy to say I managed the 6-block walk to work with ease too. Leslie and walking at home are definitely getting me back into shape again.

I know the world tilted back to a more normal place for me this AM when I went to the park & ride and got on a bus and started riding again. I think I might have tilted it back for a few regulars too and their world feels a little more normal with me there.