The Promise of a New Day
May 14, 2024
There is a promise of ‘pick-of-the-week’ today though it’s currently cool-ish and overcast. With optimism and the promise of an after school baby shower, I put on an old favorite sundress, a bright orange sweater, and some tropical jewelry. Sunglasses not needed on the ride over, but I wish that my fingernail polish matched the orange in my dress, sweater, and shoes. I’m listening to the radio and thinking about the juxtaposition between spring and feeling older.
As I get to campus, I see a walker moving across the back part of the parking lot. I swing into my space, turn off the car, and walk around to the passenger side to collect my school bag, lunch, water, and that happy present for the new mom. As I round the back of the car, the walker, a woman near my age with earbuds says, “Good Morning!” This is a usual occurrence though I haven’t seen her in particular before, so I respond “Good Morning!” and continue around to collect my things.
As I lift out of the car, she is standing in the same place. She takes her ear buds out. “You look so beautiful and spring-y”, she says. “I love how teachers do that dress thing.” She smiles. I return her smile. I had never even consider my dress choice as something strangers notice and smile about. I pause, hmmm to myself.
I love how we do that optimistic, springy dress thing too.