With the first stanza of the song bellowing through my headphones, I had barely had the chance to write the final part of a new short story when the lady opposite me waved in my direction. Her soft eyes and warm smile caught my attention, and her colourful headscarf was a distraction from the grey interior of the train.
What is that device you are using? Is it like writing on paper she asked. She was referencing the tablet I had in my possession called ReMarkable. It’s the digital answer to writing on paper and quite the device compared to what’s on the market. But those specifics are not important.
I told her I was enjoying using this device even though I am a notebook geek. She commented that something like this would save her lots of time in her job. What do you do? I asked. I am a bereavement councillor she told me. We spent the next 20 minutes talking about the challenges she faced on a personal level due to her role. I could tell she was someone who was totally invested in her job, and was a big advocate for encouraging grieving parents to journal.
We then skipped onto the topic of the impacts of social media across all age groups, history of Indian men hiding their depression from family to Iranian heritage and emigrating to the UK. The lady next to us put down her book, and said you both sound like a podcast I’d want to listen to.
We finished on books and I told them about my writing journey. I wasn’t promoting and told them they were under no obligation to buy my book…but that if I ever met them on the train again I’d happily sign their copy.
I am grateful the lady with her soft eyes waved in my direction and talked to a total stranger. I was once that person many moons ago, and while I’d like to think I can strike up a conversation with anyone, I seldom engage on the train where once I connected with random people on so many occasions. Sometimes there’s no harm in taking a conversational chance on a stranger and I left my carriage better informed about many a things. And as I explained to the lady, I had a head full of new characters and ideas.
So Thank You nice lady, for talking to me, for taking an interest, and for letting me in through the door of your life. We may never meet again but what you’re doing is super valiant and supportive, and I will try never to dwell or moan about some of the petty things in my life.
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