There used to be a commercial that advised to reach out and just say hi.’ This is a wonderful and needed goal. Pastor Meg mentioned in our service that why not speak to someone we have not spoken to before. I found this to be a valuable management tool when I was at University. My director, Phil, remarked that he wanted to emulate my reaching out to students. ‘Jay not only speaks to every student he meets but also inquires regarding what they are studying,’ Phil said. Phil and I shared a similar core to our personalities: we were introverted. In the theatre yesterday, a nice African American woman sat a couple of seats down from me, and I was pleasantly surprised when I realized she was greeting me. I have been accustomed to silence from strangers. Her cheery conversation made my day!

We live in a lonely world full of people. Jonathon, my son, never meets a stranger. People light up when he talks with them! A friendly person who picks us out of the crowd to grace us with their interest compels us. We feel unseen until we step out of the shadows. Media and fear of the unknown keep us shut in. What is happening in our minds is often quite different than our world.

Words make the difference. Christ spoke words and changed humanity. Communication is the key to understanding. At times, you may be thought of as unfriendly until you open your mouth.

The weather is temperate and soothing today. The family of crows was cawing in the Woods. They were saying there is the Old Man with his camera again. ‘When will he finally get enough photos?’ Papa Crow said. ‘He wears a big hat covering a big head,’ Papa Crow continued. ‘I think the Woods is his second home,’ PC continued. ‘The Old Man appears to be in continual deep thoughts,’ PC observed. ‘He is a friend and does no harm,’ PC said. ‘He thinks long about what he has heard, seen, and read,’ PC noted. ‘The Old Man is a seeker,’ PC whispered. ‘He seeks oneness with all of God’s creation, PC explained.

‘No one sees me, I am invisible, Abigail said. ‘I sit by the entrance of the Broadway Theatre because my parents kicked me out of our home,’ Abigail continued. ‘I look for kind eyes, but many are averted from my gaze,’ Abigail noted with tears coursing down her cheeks. ‘I wonder if I am already dead and do not realize it, as no one sees me as they laugh and talk about the fine steaks they just ate,’ Abigail whispered. ‘Peanut Butter and Jelly would be nice, I have not eaten in three days,’ Abigail continued. ‘I wonder if God in Heaven even knows I exist,’ Abigail mused. ‘My clothes are full of holes, I have no shoes, but I have a soul, I have a heart,’ Abigail said.