My older daughter nudges me out the door. It softly slams shut behind me, gently easing me onto the street.
I head down the street, alone, and allow the warm sun on the cool winter day to comfort me as I step deeper into the world.
I’m on my way to visit my younger daughter. She lives a thirty-minute walk from her sister. They live in the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia, center city.
I continue to walk; infectious laugher guides me down the street. Two robust ladies exit their vehicle, squeezed tight into a parking spot. We exchange pleasantries.
I walk on as a young woman approaches me, wearing her yoga attire and running with her dog. She avoids eye contact and is unapproachable.
I’m taking my time, soaking in each encounter. Some people friendly, others preoccupied, each responding to life as it happens.
I pause in front of a church; the gospel music spills out onto the street. Two elderly women join me on the sidewalk and wish me a blessed day.
I quickly walk past a bar that is overflowing, when a man stumbles out onto the sidewalk. He cusses at me under his breath.
I’m picking up my pace, the neighborhoods change, while the people remain the same. All experiencing life on the streets.
I slow down to acknowledge an elderly man sitting on his front porch stoop, he says, “Ma’am you have a beautiful smile.” My heart is happy.
I round the corner and a man is creeping in the shadows, he yells out to me, “I like yo’ legs.” I start to seethe with anger.
My stride gets longer as I seek out the comfort of my younger daughter. I eventually get to her house; she opens her door waving me in.
Walking through life to get the most out of life.
Later in March I will be starting a blogging series, Living In the Bubble, While Doing Life Outside. This past weekend I spent visiting with my daughters who both live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The poem above shares the importance of intentionally being present in life, while pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone. Living and doing life inside the same bubble was not healthy for me and I am happy my daughters are both experiencing life outside of their hometown.
My older daughter lived, went to school and now works in the city. Her experiences shaped the woman she is now. My younger daughter will be attending graduate school, while working and living in the city. It is never too late to explore our surroundings and grow out of the world around us.
The City of Brotherly Love
Philadelphia is known as The City of Brotherly Love. The name Philadelphia comes from the Greek philos meaning friendly or love and adelphos meaning brother.
Walking down the streets, through different neighborhoods, I was feeling the love. We spend much time judging communities around us without experiencing them. Not everyone I crossed paths with was welcoming, but exposing ourselves to our surroundings helps us to understand life as it happens around us.
William Penn the Founder
William Penn, a member of the religious sect, Quakers, founded Philadelphia. Quakers, known as friends, is representative their faith. It is a city that was build on Christian values. Their values espouse peace from war, simple living, and oppose slavery. It was Penn’s intention to create a city where living cohesively and peacefully with one’s neighbors is a standard for living.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
1 Peter 3:8 ESV
This is a abbreviated version of Walk Your Way Through Life. As I wrap up a series on alcohol abuse, with a powerful crescendo, sharing my experience in detox and rehab, I will pivot to the bubble series. My story will unfold before your eyes.