• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • San Diego Momma
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
San Diego Momma

San Diego Momma

Sharing some humor, a bit of writing and way too much information

Home / Etcetera / The Reminder

The Reminder

Etcetera

{{I’m re-posting this, and it’s only because I’m…having a busy time right now and getting all feeling sorry for myself and I needed to remember that I’m good. I’m good. There’s many reasons for thanks.}}

 

I parked my car in the usual haphazard fashion, bumping my horn as I scrambled out the driver’s side.
The man in front of me started, and shifted his reverie from the third floor window he’d been considering.

 

I mumbled “sorry” and began to hurry away, when something in his manner made me stop. I loitered a bit outside the parking meter, pretending to gather change. What was he doing, staring into that window?

 

He walked toward me, with his hands behind his back, as if out for a stroll. And maybe he was. What did I know?

 

I forgot my impending appointment for a moment while I braced myself. I wondered if I had a quarter in my pocket.

 

“My wife,” he pointed to the window, “my wife used to work up there, when it was a coat and dressmaker’s place.”

 

“Ah,” I nodded, grateful. “Ah, yes. I guess a lot has changed.” I looked around at the restored buildings splashed with bright paint and glued-on facades. “When was that?”

 

“A long time ago, a long time,” he paused.
“I used to bring her lunch.”

 

“That’s nice.” I think I knew where this was going. And I never come up with the good replies.

 

“Yes, right up there, she would sit. I could wave to her and she would see me,” he said it without smiling.

 

“Yes. Yes.” I tried to remember what the building looked like then.

 

“She died, you know. She just died.” He still stared at the window. “In December.”

 

“Oh no, oh, I’m so sorry.” Brilliant. “This December?” Well, of course it was.

 

“Yes, she worked right up there.” Now he looked at me. “I came to remember.”

 

“She was a seamstress?” I searched for something else to say.

 

His fuzzy brown eyes considered me, the window and the sidewalk before him.
“Yes.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I came to remember.”
“So…” With a shrug he began to walk away.

 

I barely watched him leave, instead I looked into the blackness of the window and imagined her there, smiling down at her husband holding two crumpled sack lunches. And now what’s left? Does the sidewalk hold the energy of her shoes tapping their way to work? Did the tree across the street retain the imprint of her gaze? Did she make her mark?

He came to remember.

 

“Thank you,” I called after him.

 

I never think of the good replies.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

October 6, 2011 · 7 Comments

Sure I’d love to see you again

Previous Post: « Raise Money for Your SoCal Elementary School: A Diatribe
Next Post: PROMPTuesday #167: Spooky Story »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Mama Mary says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    Oh this story breaks my heart. I’ve already cried once tonight over the singer on XFactor whose dad just died.

    I never think of good replies either. Plus, I usually flub it all up by combining two replies together like “Good You” Good bye + Thank you. : )

    Reply
  2. green girl in wisconsin says

    October 7, 2011 at 8:32 am

    OH, but you listened and that in itself was such a gift. How easy would it be to brush someone off and ignore their need to tell you their story. And now I need a tissue.

    Reply
  3. Jen says

    October 9, 2011 at 6:43 am

    I think “Thank you” was a perfect reply, although he probably didn’t even hear you. He probably didn’t hear most of what you said. He just needed someone to listen. He just needed to talk about her, and luckily you were there and kind enough to oblige.

    Reply
  4. Cactus Petunia says

    October 9, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Beautiful. You really are good… don’t forget it!

    Reply
  5. Middle State says

    October 10, 2011 at 6:03 am

    As always, gorgeous writing and emotionally provocative. Makes me think of my grandpa and how much he missed grandma after she died.
    That man needed to remember and I think he needed to be acknowledged, too. I’m imagining the older we get and the more things that made up our life as we know it vanish, we need validation that we are still here, among the living.

    Reply
  6. Barbara says

    October 10, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    I like that you posted this. So human to want to share with others your life and legacy.

    Reply
  7. julie gardner says

    October 10, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    Thank you…

    (You see. It’s not such a bad reply.)

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I love words. Every one, every time. (Except “moist.” That word can go.) …read more

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sure. I’d love to see you again.

Categories

Archives

Blogroll

  • Blog This Mom
  • Da Goddess
  • Dirt and Noise
  • Discover San Diego
  • Foolery
  • Juggling Life
  • Mama Mary Show
  • Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
  • Mom Zombie
  • Mommy’s Martini
  • Motherhood is Not for Wimps
San Diego Momma

Footer

Archives

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

sandiegomomma

sandiegomomma
Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years… Circumstance Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years…
Circumstances have changed since post-Prom-picnic-circa-1986-vibes…
#WhereIsBryanAdamsNow
Dorm drop! 🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕 Dorm drop!
🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕
💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫 💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫
Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Monica trip.
And now she knows she doesn’t want to live in LA….
#LifeLessons
It’s happening….. It’s happening…..
Barely tolerating me….. Barely tolerating me…..
Beach day with my “little” one while big sis e Beach day with my “little” one while big sis explores Cal Poly…
Life transitions. Beautiful but I haz the olds.
#NotAboutMe #Whhhhyyyyy
A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDo A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDoesntLikePictures
Sunset squad. Brought a picnic and drinks to Del M Sunset squad.
Brought a picnic and drinks to Del Mar and watched the waves and horizon. Not too crowded or cold - another good hang with the neighborhood gang! ❤️❤️
Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my In Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my Instagram) (and in my antibodies). It’s a COVID New Year’s Eve…
Husband and I down for the count(down).
BUT. We’re doing decent and it’s cozy up in here…
Winery times! Winery times!
Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen talking about everything.
Smells like a Sunday neighbor night. ;)
Line dancing lessons… My two left feet did nothi Line dancing lessons…
My two left feet did nothing right - but they did it with gusto.
Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite the seeming divine intervention from above, we weren’t struck with the “perfect” next book to put on our list…..
Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion. (Oh my Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion.
(Oh my gosh you guys…! No! I’m not a sports model! But I totally understand how you might think so.) 😜😜😜
I wanted my hair to do that. #NordicSisters I wanted my hair to do that.
#NordicSisters
Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/ Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/sang with him.
Miss you Dad. Hope we do your hats justice. Lord knows we’ll have fun in them, just like you did. 😇
Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning here. And the landscape is nice too ;).
Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing inspiration...
Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, th Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, the rainbow jumper and white bobby socks oughta do it. No but wait! There’s a bowl cut. Annnnnnnddd giant gold-rimmed specs.
#CentennialFashion
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Hello Chicky

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT