Okay, I have a five-minute window to write something for you folks. I just got off work, and now I must leave for an excruciatingly long meeting. I figured I’d tell you all whatever comes to mind in the short time frame, so here goes nothing.
Saturday evening, I went downtown to a lovely concert at the Peace Centre, which included the Greenville Symphony (world renowned…countless awards) and Greenville Chorale. It didn’t start until eight Saturday evening. I got there a bit early, so I moseyed down Main Street, capturing a few pictures along the way. It was particularly warm for a November eve. Most of the street was blocked off and a band was playing jazz, so I hung around the stage, chatting with a few drunken city slickers.
After being bumped and ran into by bibulous eejits, I waltzed towards the Concert Hall. I’ll have to admit, I received a few looks and gazes, as I bought my ticket. People were in their finest attire, and I was in one of my beloved Ben Sherman – Bentley Carnaby shirts, Levi’s 514 Jeans (31/32 Yes, I’m skinny!), and a pair of Timberland Oxfords. What can I say? I like denims! At work, I have to wear dress slacks, so whenever I’m not working, I’m wearing my jeans. But, people have a tendency to look down at anyone wearing jeans, regardless of how much the shoes or shirt may cost.
Anyway, it was an awesome concert. On the way back down Main Street, I got behind a big crowd of drunks. One of them though was an older man, who was alone, like myself. We were both headed in the same direction, so I followed him most of the way. Just as we got to a crosswalk, it turned red, but he ran across anyway. I stayed behind. As I watched, the man walked up to a display window at a jewellery store twenty feet in front of me.
The man lightly touched the glass, gazed into the sparkling rays of light coming off the jewelled bands of gold, and began to wail profusely. The walk light changed and I slowly approached the shop. He discovered my footsteps, turned away while covering his eyes, and walked away. I’m not one to pry, so I let him go without an utterance.
However, I pondered what would cause an elderly man to cry in such a public manner. It was then that I realised what was in the display window. It was wedding bands of all shapes, sizes, and prices. I wondered if he might have recently lost his wife or something much worse. Is she still alive or dead? Of course, he never might have been married. Alternatively, she might have taken everything he had in a nasty divorce.
Finally, I gazed into the mystical world of wedding bands, and was overwhelmed with…Anger! in fact, I got so mad that I had to walk away, before I made an early morning phone call across the Atlantic. I was not mad at anyone except myself…for making a big mistake…but, I’ve learned so much from mistakes. This one in particular! I came home and couldn’t warm my bones, nor the emptiness in my soul.
Moral of story: No matter how young or tough a man or woman thinks they are, love can bring you to your knees. It doesn’t come around every day. Make the most of every opportunity, and never let love slip through your fingers.
My five minutes is up…Well, it was 30 seconds ago. 
Powered by FireStats
Ah JD too true but it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all . . .not my words but I truly believe them. Relish the memory. I do.
I do so relish the memories. They can kick you in the arse though.
Ah, not to worry though, I’m cooking up something. 