Peppers and Zen

I was troubled, inside kind of troubled, hide-it-from-the-world kind of troubled, the worst kind of troubled. Ambling through Stop & Shop's produce section, in quest-selection of perfect green peppers, on the way home from works on a Friday night, I sensed his presence, I felt his presence, but I couldn't see his presence . . . and then, there he was ~ a short, strong, older dark haired man, asking with a different kind of inner light, "Pardon, would you please show me where the smaller chilies are?". Instinct always rules when your spirit, even a troubled spirit, knows the grace of Open, so cart and purse left behind, I turned the proverbial corner with the mysterious gent to the hot pile of chilies, where his eyes danced and his hand grasped and pumped mine, tandem to an honoured blessing, "You are a warm and fine woman, undergoing some kind of trouble, yet instantly helped a stranger."

Perhaps the temperature changed or the warmth simply, (thus strongly) took on quantum frequencies, but in the next half-hour spent in fascination with the internal medicine man from Pakistan, my joining-in historical mate and I learned of four years of US citizenship, a most delicious curry recipe, Muslim influences into world-stretch, historical and governmental rhythms, injustices swallowed as pace of life, what classes of men are suitable for well-provided daughter matches, and the depth which intelligence furthers an individual. The parting was a hug and not a handshake; the proclamation, holding my gaze with his superb soft browns was, "Ah, you are a spiritual lady too?". Wanting to hold this moment, wanting this warming peace over where inner troubles fester, he answered my unspoken question, "We will meet again, when we are meant to."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I think he left Connecticut and went to Pennsylvania next,
helping my friend Zelda out with her own peppered thoughts.
I can only trust so.

~ by Absolutely*Kate
~ of Harbinger*33

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BE ENCHANTED WHEN 33 STELLAR AUTHORS SAIL OUT DISTINCTIVE TRUTHS
OF THEIR OWN VITAL VOICES IN THE WELL-HONED FICTION AND FANTASIES
THEY PRESUPPOSE IN THE PREMIER VOYAGE OF HARBINGER*33
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~