Not having a vehicle that week, I found myself sitting on my cane/chair on a rainy day waiting for my ride. This was my last Doctor’s appointment for the week. My waiting times have turned out to be productive times.
I think about times past and times now and what I want to write about next.
Hunched under my da Vinci umbrella, I thought about Elvis and his “Kentucky Rain” song. I was glad I thought to wear my winter jacket as it is rain repellent. Very much I thought about Hurricane Harvey.
It was September 1, 2017 but Louisville had turned chilly with the remnants of Harvey sweeping up through the Ohio Valley.
My driver arrived and he appeared to be in his mid-forties, a Black American man with a happy smile and courteous “Good Morning” greeting.
As we began our turn up around the bend he mentioned how fortunate we were in comparison to those who were struggling with the devastation of Harvey.
We talked about how much joining together and helping each other taught us. There was no race or color or gender. It was just us against Harvey.
I told him a phrase I had just thought of about while sitting in the rain. I intended to put it on some of my FineArtAmerica work and Zazzle it was, “The “N” Word Means Neighbor”.
“ What did you say?” he asked, stopping the vehicle.
I repeated my newfound revelation, “The “N” word means NEIGHBOR!
His arm shot up in the air as he gave a “Hallelujah!! “shout.
We both felt there was a reason I sat in the rain and had time to think about Harvey and meet him to tell about a NEIGHBOR meaning. We were still laughing when he delivered me to Audubon Plaza. I nodded approval when he asked to use the phrase at his church.
I hugged him and said. “Thanks, “Neighbor.”
He hugged me back saying, “Thank you, Neighbor.”
Two ladies standing in the doorway looked at us like we were daffy. We looked at each other and laughed again.