Platonic and Abandoned

I just had dinner with an old (guy) friend of 4 years. It's amazing how much we have grown in our own way and yet remain very good friends. I'm constantly comparing in my head how it was before I got to know him a bit better, how we used to not talk to each other at all for one year (although we were colleagues) and how far we have come.

Is it possible then to have platonic friendships of the opposite sex? Yes it is. However, it takes a lot of level headed-ness to reach that stage. I think we have to get over that "Do you think he likes me more than a friend" stage before we can become really good friends. I must say my favourite part of the friendship is after that stage, when I can finally put my guard down without having to worry about sending the wrong signals.

And of course, Sweetie should know about this good friend and meet him at least once. Looking at it sensibly, this friendship is something good that's happening in my life and there should not be a reason to hide it from him. In fact, I should be sharing with him about this (which I have, more than once).

On a different subject, I was having dinner with Sweetie one night whilst concentrating on my food, this person came to our table and asked us whether we would like to buy boiled sweets. Now, boiled sweets are the least of my favourite things, so without breaking concentration on my food, I instantly said no. After that, I looked up to see the unhappy face of this old woman, disappointingly walking away. I felt bad instantly; I wished I hadn't been so quick to say no eventhough I hated boiled sweets.

Sweetie and I had a discussion on why she would be selling boiled sweets on the street in the evening. What happened to her family? Did she have children? What about friends? A home?

We came to these possible conclusions:-

1) She was abandoned by her children because she proved to be too difficult to bear (at least to them she was). Being left either in a nursing home or her own, rundown home, with no money even for essentials, she decides to make boiled sweets and sell them because she can.

2) Her son has passed away due to either disease or accident, leaving her with nothing else but her clothes on her back. She no longer have anyone supporting her, therefore she decides to do this to make a living. (She did, after all, have a sad face). For how long is she going to do this, only time can tell. However, for now, she will do this, because this is the only thing that would keep her alive.

There are a hundred other explanations, but after having talked about them, I still could not get over my regret for not purchasing her boiled sweets. It lingered in my mind as we continued with dinner. I hoped she would come my way again, so that I could at least offer her some money.

But she did not come my way again. So we said a prayer for her, trusting that God, who knows exactly what happened to her, will take care of her, as He would take care of the birds of the air and the lilies in the ponds.

Oh yes, one last thing. I have a label!!!

"Always use your powers for good".