Life Coaching, Observations, Reflections, Things that make you go hmmmmm
I appreciate the efforts Seattle’s favourite favorite Mermaid has taken to foster diversity and inclusiveness.
Wasn’t to far back the Canadian Elves had sensitivity training and I’ll tell you straight up, the Coffee Elves I know are all a Bonnie Bunch of Baristas.
I do think that being welcoming to “STALKERS” and giving them their own gift card is a wee bit extreme, but I don’t make policy.
G.R. Hambley ©
July 05, 2018
There are times when a chance encounter will forever stay memorable. Of course this is one of those times or I wouldn’t be telling me about it so I can tell you about it.
A woman and her two daughters took the table beside me late one Sunday afternoon. Mom unknowingly knocked my plug lose from the outlet when she sat down on the long bench we share in this cafe.
“Hee Sun” is the woman’s name and she is a creative. Hee Sun and her daughters are South Korean. I learned this in conversation with mom.
Thus begins a tale of enchanting encounter and wonder.
Apology was made for knocking out the plug. Assurances given that there was no need for sorry and no harm was done.
The lady stands and reseats herself after I’ve returned the plug to the outlet. Where the outlets are in this cafe, decorum demands you either put the plug in for someone or get out of the way. Not doing so could lead to an incident which in this case would have been an international incident and who needs those?!
It’s difficult to not see what is up on someone’s computer when you’re settling yourself in to place. Hey if it were something that private you wouldn’t be working on that something in a cafe.
I had some art and poetry I was working on up on my computer and Mom saw it when she sat back down. Hee Sun asked she me about what she saw.
Doesn’t happen often and I’ve done it myself, commented on something I’ve seen that’s art. Made a couple nice friendships that way but I don’t advise trying it unless you’re a creative. A little understanding and perspective folks. Understanding that there are personable people and that being personable is a good thing is a nice start.
I could have shut off any conversation right quick just be putting my ear buds in. Not like I haven’t done it before and won’t do it again. Sometimes when I got the buds in they’re just in so I don’t have to listen to anything and by anything I also mean anyone.
We start to talk and Hee Sun tells me she has written a children’s book and the illustrations are done by the daughter who is at home in South Korea.
The two daughters (I do not know their names) were graduating McGill and Mom had come from South Korea for the girls commencement. They had a few days here in Toronto; then a couple days in Montreal for the exercise and back to Toronto for a few more days.
Choosing Toronto over Montreal to tour, good choice. Toronto is the most cosmopolitan city in the world. Landing here in “Community Mine”, lucky for me and lucky for Mom.
We can have the Toronto vs Montreal debate another time.
So me and she talked. We shared our thoughts about poetry and art. We talked a bit about her two graduating girls. We talked about how we’re all the same.
Sun Hee and me talked for about an hour as the girls amused themselves with their phones. The girls will be staying here and looking for jobs. We talked about that too.
Oh alas, oh woe is me. They’re grown up and they’re staying here and they’ll be so far away from their dear mother. If you’re thinking the lament of this South Korean Mother is the same as a Canadian mother or an American Mother or Jewish Mother, you’d be correct. You’d be correct because we’re all the same.
It wasn’t that extreme but Hee Sun was feeling the separation anxiety.
She read a couple of my poems and a narrative of mine. We went through them together as Hee Sun read aloud. She apologized for English once as she went to one of her daughters for help with better understanding the English through Korean.
Hee Sun showed me the cover of her book on her phone. She said she had one copy at the hotel and would send it to me. You see the book she sent me in the first image.
I mentioned her 3rd daughter did the illustrations for the book and they are terrific. Strangely or maybe not, the mom in the book looks similar to Hee Sun. Maybe it’s just because they have the same hair-do. Nah, it’s deeper than that.
I introduced the lady to John Donne and like so many, she knew Donne without knowing it’s John Donne. I told Hee Sun that I have a good friend who after reading Mr. Donne’s Ye Olde English, decided that any future spelling errors would be attributed to Ye Olde English. The lady smiled at that.
Hee Sun spent a semester at Harvard and did a trail visiting the places of poets renowned in England. She likes the Romance poets and now has another romance poet she likes, me.
I had this conversation a couple weeks ago (June 04, 2017) and I’ve run the encounter past some of those in this “Community Mine” that I’m friends with. The thing about those people in my community and I point it out to them as we talk, they’re the same as me and Sun Hee and another friend of mine who is a mom and lives in South Africa.
We are all the same. We all want the same things.
A decent place to live.
Enough to eat.
Some work.
Some leisure.
That’s it folks. All she wrote. Simple stuff. We all want the same because we are all the same.
“Good Friend” saw this piece pretty close to the completion point. It was asked by Good Friend, “What about love?”. I don’t know if we all want love and I’ll take that up elsewhere.
I didn’t set out on this enchanting encounter of mine to tug at heart strings. What we two were talking about, how could it not? It could only not tug the heart at least a little if we aren’t the same.
Hee Sun provided me with her address and she will be receiving a letter from me. There is so much wonderful in a real letter, a hand written letter. Tactile and tangible and on occasion, scented.
Our conversation was worldly and I loved every minute of it. I’m going to tell her so by hand.
I went and had a look at where Hee Sun lives in Korea, Gimpo and it is pronounced, “Kimpo”. If you’re aged enough and were a fan of MASH, you’ve heard that name before.
The first return in the search brought me a bit from a wiki, Gimpo, directly across the Han river is North Korea.
I can’t even fathom living that. Sure I understand the political just fine but I can’t even grasp living with that situation in my backyard.
I will ask Hee Sun in the letter I write her to try and tell me how she feels about living with that threat as she does and I hope she’ll reply. I will be relating and asking other things as well.
Hee Sun told me she plays the guitar and sings. I’m thinking if I ask nicely, perhaps she’ll tell me a musical story.
G.R. Hambley ©
June 19, 2017
Souls old, souls new, souls lost, some hoping desperately to be found
Philosophers, perambulators and pals, the odd sniff of pretention
Hims and hers, some that are, quite honestly, deeply confused
Every face, should you care, bringing a unique study in story
Retro and metro, and for others, the splendour that is sartorial
Eye on a passing thigh and my oh my is that Rebel Circus I spy
Open minds, open hearts, open conversations and well who knew
Faces from faraway places, happily in a space that has no races
Accountants, Aides to Teaching, but if you can’t say without preaching
Cups of coffee, gallons of conversation and Sugar when it’s Psunday*
Quips and quills, more than a few spills, splotches of great delusion
Untold stories, stories shared, stories that will be woven by me
Aged, ageless, those just beginning to write their journey for the ages
In they tromp, costumed and not, cute as buttons, kids enjoying theatre
New ones in 21st century jolly jumpers, jump dad jump, gee thanks mom
Thespians, orators, of both the professional and amateur ranks rant
As life goes on all around you, yours for the sharing, it’s no illusion
Names and faces, you come to know, as you do enjoyment grows
Contacts, connections, conversations in confidence, all do ensue
Elves wearing bells bearing versions of coffee, catch me one if you can
G.R. Hambley ©
May 09, 2017
I was surprised this morning
A gift from a friend
A damn fine pen that I shall cherish and use in my indomitable way
G.R. Hambley April 05, 2017
But necessary how are those of the ilk demented to those cerebral
Any one in full flight uproar draws the kindred to the scene obscene
They’re beyond brash, removed from rash, seemingly just mean
Seething anger, rooted deep in the soul could well be the rascal
Heed of a well placed word never given a single seconds recognition
Inward worldly space where no other is shown the faintest welcome
Tormented displays, tormenting as they meander about in full blossom
Chain of distant current events fuelling enflamed infatuation
Realization of purpose does not remove, solve, or at all excuse
Attempts to diffuse, patience of the saints; of which we are not blessed
Zealots of the church profane, worship best served in solitary space
Ingenious, fraught filled but; lead them to follow the shepherd of recluse
Exodus follows embracing, sanctuary where the cursing are not cursed
Smiling, each day’s break comes quietly; achieved with beguile and grace
G.R. Hambley ©
July 29, 2016
We don’t know where he came from
We have tried without success to discover.
He has become a beloved part of our menagerie.
Bright eyed one, we adore that impish twinkle
Acting up, acting out, we know what you’re about
Running wild, giving a wink and taking to flight
Trailing your rainbow glitter while looping the loop
Heading on in for that special one point landing
Oh we tease and admire those things that are distinctly you
Laughter in innocent eyes, mirth in that wide smile
One with us you are small one, a family of your own
Made to order one of a kind creatures unique like you
Each of us to our own and like family, each for us all
Where ever you may journey, home will always be here
G.R. Hambley ©
January 13, 2016
Hello old friend, it is so very good to not see you again
And thank you, and yes O’ furry one I did miss you too
Really and truly I did, doesn’t flow the same without you
Varied places you say, some enjoyable provocative sorts I trust
Each had a charm did they, not quite enough to keep up eh
Yes my friend the same for me, no, none of them enough of you
G.R. Hambley ©
January 12, 2016
Making an enchanting statement with every smile she makes
A casual night time morning attire, only adds to her charm
Graceful strides go sliding by, fuzzy warm slipper clad feet
Gripping entrance, completely sweetly, without pretension
Images of the darlin’ of the dreams roll through many minds
Enchanting voice, soft lilt beguiles man and woman alike
Showing the pearls, corners turn to an infectious playful grin
Mellow motion, swaying softly to the waltz of the tea time fairy
In to her favourite counter seat, the laughter follows banter
Listens too, you can see it in how she looks when others talk
Easing down, with smiles, off she goes, elegance in jammy pants
Seductive she is, in that “what a sweetheart” way everyone loves
G.R. Hambley ©
December 28, 2015
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