Today started angsty.

1. Big Annual Fundraiser
2. An Unexpected Trip to the Office First
3. Rain
4. Traffic
5. Rain
6. Unfinished Business from Yesterday
7. Rain

Angst gone within fifteen minutes of the drive after three vivid images.

Image #1: Human in Crosswalk

One mile into my drive is the intersection of 59th and Cortez. I was the first in line at the light. While I waited for green, a slow moving person made their way across the intersection, west to east. Hoodie pulled over their head, slumped over and pushing a walker, they carried plastic bags of items I assumed just purchased at the corner convenience store. What felt like slow motion was real time. I could almost hear God whisper, “What do you think about their angst?”

Image #2: Emergency Vehicles blocking Traffic

Twenty-two blocks east on Cortez at 37th, traffic slowed due to an accident. The sun having not risen yet, all I could see was flashing lights on large emergency vehicles. Detouring through the McDonald’s and Goodwill parking lot, I wondered if the accident might involve a car and a pedestrian. That intersection is a gathering spot for the homeless early in the morning. I could almost hear God whisper, “Imagine the angst of everyone at that scene.”

Image #3: Two Elementary-Aged Boys Walking to School

Having driven through three school zones and noticing the yellow raingear of all the crossing guards, I turned left on Bayshore Gardens Parkway by Bayshore Elementary. An image that I hope sticks with me a long time walked towards me on the sidewalk. When’s the last time you saw two 10-year-old boys walking in the rain under an umbrella? In addition to that rare image, they weren’t running trying to get out of the rain. Casually strolling like two old friends, they laughed as if they’d just made a joke about their wives, maybe even their grandchildren. I could almost hear God whisper, “Remember what I said about children?”

Today finished joyously.