It’s amazing how we all see the world differently, and how when there’s sadness in one place there’s happiness elsewhere.
I believe there’s always beauty in the world. It’s just hard to find sometimes.
Yesterday morning I noticed an ambulance pull up next door. My next door neighbours are an old Italian couple. They use to own my house, and the many acres surrounding my house. All of which are now populated with other houses. They use to own quite a lot of the suburb. I was concerned, but chose not to think about it too much.
Soon after, while in the backyard, F…. walked up to me looking very tired and concerned. She asked me if I could help carry her husband down the stairs with the paramedics. I dropped what I was doing and went with her. I asked what had happened, and she wasn’t sure. Possibly a stroke.
G…., F….’s husband, is a very friendly man. He’s your a-typical older Italian, always joking, always smiling, can talk your ear off for hours on end while telling exactly the same story over and over. Many times I’ve found myself listening to his stories, suddenly realising that what I had initially gone outside to do wasn’t going to get done that day.
He’s also a car man. He showed me his beautiful 1960′s Alfa coupe with lowered suspension, sitting on custom Simmon’s wheels, and with Webber carb’s. The car was straight and free of rust. I asked him how much he would sell it for, but he was reluctant to say.
Yesterday morning I saw him on his bed with the paramedics. He was sitting up, and looking a little confused. “I’m not sure what I’m doing here, see”, is what he said in his very loud Italian accent. But he still managed to look at me then smile.
“‘ay young fella”, he said. He always greeted me in such a way.
While the paramedics were getting him onto the portable stretcher he even managed to make a few jokes which had us all laughing.
As I left them I looked back, and in spite of everything that was happening, I could see his character through his eyes. Strong and aware. He smiled and nodded.
At the time, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. While their lives are changing, I was enjoying the sun with my girlfriend and kitty. But remembering the look in G….’s eyes made me realise how silly it is to feel guilty. He’ll be fine no matter what happens, and life for him and his family is just opening a new chapter.
We all should make the most of now, and approach everything with a strength and awareness that enables anything to look beautiful.