Walking

I no longer have a vehicle.

It’s a long story (and one that I am in no mood to rehash), but much of it has to do with the fact that the repairs that I would have had to make would have cost more than the car was worth. This isn’t as much of a tragedy as it may sound. I had owned the car for a good number of years and it was… well, let’s just say that it was somewhat past its prime.

Where I am fortunate is that I don’t live terribly far from my workplace. Prior to my car’s untimely death, my usual commute time was around five minutes, if that. Once I began walking to and from the office, my daily commute became about thirty minutes each way.

It’s not a bad commute, really. When walking, it takes a bit under ten minutes to make my way through my neighborhood, after which I cross a busy street. I walk past the local botanical center until I cross a pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River. Eventually, I cross what is known as the Arsenal Bridge (aka the Government Bridge). The Arsenal Bridge is quite interesting, in that it is one of the few swing span bridges in the United States. A portion of the bridge actually swings open to allow barge traffic through. All vehicular, pedestrian, and train traffic must stop to allow a barge through. It’s quite a sight to stand close as the bridge turns on its axis to be open to water traffic, then swing back into position.

The only downside to my walks were some exceptionally cold winter mornings. There is a great deal to be said for properly bundling up. Between good gloves, a headwrap, a stocking cap, and a good scarf I managed to brave those cold, dark mornings. Just as important as the aforementioned: footwear. I had managed to acquire a very good pair of boots. A well-made and well-insulated pair of boots is a walker’s best friend, especially in winter months.

Walking every day has a few benefits, the most obvious being physical fitness. A solid hour of vigorous walking burns a lot of calories and has some cardiovascular benefits as well. Just as important has been the uninterrupted time with myself. I have had a lot of time to just think. Sometimes that thinking was about myself and the trajectory of my life. Other times, I would work out the details of creative projects. I might set some goals, work through how to best deal with a challenge, or simply dispense with whatever might be bothering me on that particular day. Just as my physical fitness benefitted, my mental fitness did as well.

One thing that did not lend itself to a pedestrian commute was going to the grocery store. Imagine lugging a week’s worth of groceries home over a twenty or so minute walk. No bueno. Fortunately, one of my three sons now has his driver’s license and has been taking me to the store once a week. We have somehow managed to turn the weekly grocery-getting ritual into something of an enjoyable experience. Better yet, he will be an experienced and savvy shopper when it comes time for him to do so for himself.

Once the snow fully melted away, I noticed the large amount of trash underfoot.

• Beer cans.
• Soda cups.
• Water bottles.
• Fast food containers. (somebody in my neighborhood goes to Checkers quite often)
• Liquor bottles (somebody in my neighborhood REALLY likes Cinnamon Fireball Whiskey).

I began to bring plastic bags with me each morning. I would pick up trash along the way. It was a great way to give my commute a sense of mission and meaning. I was helping the environment and making my neighborhood a nicer place. I actually posted on Facebook a couple of times about my new “hobby” and was really pleased with the positive response. A few people even stated that they would start picking up trash in their own neighborhoods. The only downside of this has been my new hyper-awareness of trash everywhere.

(and really, people… I think we can all do better in this regard)

It’s especially gratifying that so much good (pretty much all of the above) issued from a crappy event (that being, of course, the death of my vehicle).

I have acquired a bicycle a couple of months ago, which has cut my commute down to somewhere in the ten to fifteen-minute realm. I will probably get another car before too long (I imagine before winter sets in). I will still walk or bike at least some of the time, though. I really think that I would miss it if I didn’t.

Rebirth

Like many of you, I had a pretty sizable comic book collection in my younger years. And like many of you, I have absolutely no idea what happened to it. I remember some of the books I had. This one, pictured below, is said to be worth $75.00 to $100.00 these days.

Another comic I remember, the circa 1977 debut issue of the new hero Black Lightning, is currently going for up to $285.00.

So I might not have been able to pay for college had I sold off some of those books, but I think that I had a pretty respectable collection. It would have been nice to still have all those books, but they are now… who knows where. They are likely dust in the wind at this point.

Cut to many years later. My own children are now older than when I bought the aforementioned comics. We would sometimes go to one of the comic shops near my home. We usually treated ourselves to a theater trip when one of the big new superhero movies came out. In short: casual fans.

We were all out and about one day when we ventured into one of the aforementioned shops. The friendly proprietor informed us that the next Saturday would be “Batman Day” (I’m of the school of thought that every day is Batman Day, but whatever). He would have some grab bags for sale. $25.00 for around $70.00 worth of comics, graphic novels, and other merchandise.

SOLD.

I bought one, as did each of my twins. The shop owner wasn’t kidding when said that there would be north of $70.00 of value in that bag.  I found a couple of hardcover graphic novels, a paperback edition of Frank Miller’s classic, The Dark Knight Returns, along with a number of comics and other items. One of the comics in my grab bag was this one:

I have long been a huge Batman fan, so I read this one right away. The issue ended on a rather intriguing cliffhanger, so I soon acquired the next issue. And the one after that. And the one after-- (okay, as of this writing we are up to issue #14). I soon started buying All-Star Batman, Detective Comics, Batman Beyond, and Nightwing.

You may have noticed the DC Comics Rebirth banner atop the Batman cover. The DC Rebirth is a reboot/ reset/ initiative for the bulk of the DC Comics line. This reboot was about more than just book numbering… it was a rebirth of, as the powers that be at DC put it, ”optimism and legacy”.

The Rebirth branding also had some resonance for me personally. It was, obviously, a rebirth of my comic collecting hobby. I always had some comics around, odds and ends that I picked up here and there. I began frequenting my nearby shops, particularly on new release day. I started bagging and boarding my collection, and organized my books as well.

Collecting comics seems at once familiar and new. My inner pre-teen self is thrilled, while my adult side appreciates the opportunity to explore something new (ish). In addition, it certainly doesn’t hurt that my fifteen year old twins have also started collecting (anytime you can find an activity or interest you can share with your teenagers, YOU DO IT).

The storylines have been excellent as well. The multi-part “Night of the Monster Men” arc, played out over issues of Batman, Detective Comics, and Nightwing, was dramatic and action-packed. It had a great ending that solidified Batman’s place as my favorite hero.

“Night of the Monster Men” was followed up with “I Am Suicide”, another intense, multi-part storyline that took a deep (and dark) dive into Batman’s psychology.

All of the books that I have read so far have been compelling, well-written, and a lot of fun. Much of the art is spectacular too, as evidenced by this suitable for framing cover art…

So, of course, I’m thoroughly enjoying the stories and characters that I have been following. It’s also fun to stop in to the various comic book shops to pick up new issues and search for the pieces to fill the gaps in my collection. I am fortunate in that live within mere blocks of three different shops. Each one is different, and each one has its own charms. My kids and I frequent them all. It’s very easy to stop in to one or the other on the way to somewhere else, or walk to one on an otherwise lazy Saturday afternoon.

I couldn’t be happier that the DC Universe Rebirth initiative parallels my own rebirth of sorts as a comic collector. I can’t say exactly why I drifted away from comics, but I’m glad to be back.

Fun With Dream Analysis

Being a creative type person, I tend to have very vivid dreams.

A few weeks ago, just prior to the holiday season, I had what was among the most vivid dreams I ever had. I actually woke up slightly disoriented, feeling for a couple of minutes that the dream was quite real.

In the dream, I was wandering through a forest of sorts with one of my three sons. I didn’t have a strong sense of where we were. We may have been lost, but the environment seemed a bit familiar… perhaps because the area seemed a bit like the woods I frequently explored as a child. We eventually came upon a run-down house. It appeared to be standing only by the grace of a few nails and a couple posts that held up the exterior walls. I told my son to stand back as I took a step inside. The interior was mostly empty, save for a trash can, spilling over with garbage, off in one corner, and an old wooden chair near the center of the room. I opted not to step further inside, as I didn’t feel that it would be safe.

A heavyset older man went by, walking a large dog, perhaps a German Shepard. We all exchanged pleasantries. My son and I briefly petted the dog and parted ways with the man.

We walked and noticed another house, just yards away. This one was newer and well-appointed. It also was, apparently, occupied.  The large windows fairly well glowed with warmth and light from within. I could see two small white dogs, tails wagging, looking expectantly out one of the windows.

And then I woke up.

My first moderately coherent thought, as I sat up on the edge of my bed:
“When did my son and I go for a hike?”

Then:

“Where was this?”

It dawned on me just moments later that the forest adventure was a mere dream, albeit a very vivid one. I went about my morning routine that included a fresh pot of coffee and a good stretch, both in place to get mind and body started up for the day.

I started up my computer and went to dreammoods.com. I had discovered the site several years ago, in the aftermath of a series of deeply weird dreams I had been having. You search the site’s amazingly comprehensive database of possible dream imagery and review what it had to say. The interpretations are rooted in psychology, rather than any sort of metaphysics. This means that your dream analysis is not a definitive  attempt to predict your future. The site takes its cues from Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and others. Your results are fairly subjective, especially when you have multiple symbolic signposts to consider. It’s also important to consider your interpretation through the filter of your own life’s events, particularly recent ones. Take the dream I referenced above. The main symbols were the forest, the two houses, and the dogs. Here are the results from the site:

“To see an abandoned house in your dream implies that you have left behind your past. You are ready to move forward toward the future. To see an old, run-down house in your dream represents your old beliefs, attitudes and how you used to think or feel. A situation in your current life may be bringing about those same old attitudes and feelings. Alternatively, the old house may symbolize your need to update your mode of thinking. If you see messy and/or dilapidated houses in your dream, then it implies that an aspect of your own life is in chaos. You may be suffering from some emotional or psychological clutter. You need to release these feelings in order to regain control.”

“To see a new house in your dream indicates that you are taking on a new identity and developing new strengths. You are becoming more emotionally mature.”

“To dream that you are in or walking through the forest signifies a transitional phase. Follow your instincts. Alternatively, it indicates that you want to escape to a simpler way of life. You are feeling weighed down by the demands of your life.”

“To dream that you are lost in a forest indicates that you are searching through your subconscious for a better understanding of yourself.”

“To see a dog in your dream symbolizes intuition, loyalty, generosity, protection, and fidelity. The dream suggests that your strong values and good intentions will enable you to go forward in the world and bring you success. The dream dog may also represent someone in your life who exhibits these qualities. Alternatively, to see a dog in your dream indicates a skill that you may have ignored or forgotten.”

“To see a German Shepherd in your dream, highlights your protective instincts and attentiveness to a situation. This is no time for you to be nervous and/or lose control.”

I was consciously aware that I was undertaking some significant changes in my lifestyle. I had set a goal to move to a new residence, with a target of sometime in the fall of 2017. The house symbols could certainly be viewed in a literal sense. I think that the houses in the dream could also be viewed symbolically. In order to achieve my moving goal, I have been trying to make some internal changes. The symbolism around the old and new houses in my dream suggests that I am on the right track.

The forest imagery tells me that I am in a transitional phase (also a positive sign). I think there is also something to be said for “feeling weighed down by the demands of life”. I have a lot of competing priorities and I do admit that I feel overwhelmed at times. The dogs were there to remind me that I shouldn’t forget about my values as I draw closer to achieving my goal.

Lastly, just one of my three sons was in that dream… I’m guessing that is because he is the one that is pushing the hardest for me to move and is the most emotionally invested in that goal.

So don’t think of dream analysis as some sort of hokey mumbo-jumbo. It can be a very useful tool and perhaps a path to greater and deeper self-awareness. Feel grateful when you have one those weird, vivid dreams… it could very well be a case of your subconscious trying to send you an important message. Listen and reap the benefits.

Values

I have written values. They are as follows:

• Kids first
• Self-mastery
• Intelligence
• Harmony
• Integrity
• Ikigai

Values are a prism through which one can view life, set goals, and make decisions. Values can help you get and keep your life on track. In short, having set, written values will allow you to more easily navigate through life. I can’t say that I exemplify everything on my list… in reality, some of them (especially under the “self-mastery” category) are there because I am trying very hard to integrate them more fully into my life.

Kids first: I’ll not dive too deeply into this one, as it is self-explanatory. Simply, I make my kids my unquestioned first priority and motivation for most everything I do. Really, nothing more needs to be said.

Self mastery is a constellation of several things… self-discipline, grit, kaizen, positivity, growth mindset, and stoicism.

Self-discipline: My personal discipline is an ongoing struggle, especially when it comes to being consistent over an extended period of time (I suppose that’s true for all of us, though) (so maybe I shouldn’t be so damn hard on myself when I stumble, huh?) (anyway…)

Discipline applies to so many things; not just getting to the gym, eating right, or showing up to work on time. Ultimately, it boils down to doing what you should do, when you should do it… whether you feel like it or not.

• It’s about standards.
• It’s about execution.
• It’s about being consistent.
• It’s about self-control.
• It’s about goals, little and big.
• It’s the difference between mediocrity and excellence, between success and failure.

Grit is the ability to keep going over time, even when things get rough, even as one’s initial motivation wears off and the shine dampens on that goal.

Growth mindset is the difference between “I can do better” and “I am the way I am”. A person with a growth mindset sees their self as capable of evolution. Someone with a fixed mindset feels that if they meet a challenge that they can’t overcome initially, that’s it. Game over. The growth mindset person comes face-to-face with failure and considers how they might change to meet and overcome that challenge. This is something that I am working on quite a bit of late. Having read Carol Dweck’s book about this subject, I can see where having a growth mindset would be the foundation for a lot of personal development.

Kaizen is closely allied with the growth mindset. It is a Japanese word that roughly translates as “constant and never-ending improvement”. To me, it means ‘better every day”. My goal is to do something each and every day that will improve me and/ or my life in some fashion. That can mean many different things.

• One more rep or a little more distance in a workout (or maybe trying out a new yoga pose!).
• Polishing a scene from my new novel.
• Work on getting better organized.

I could go on and on (and on and on and on) with this. I will spare you the details. Ultimately, the phrase “better every day” is what matters here.

By positivity, I don’t mean a pollyanish/ rose-colored glasses outlook 24/ 7/ 365. To me, it’s more about making sure that I don’t default to the negative, admittedly a hard task at times.

Stoicism is something I have only recently begun studying. Ultimately, it’s less about being like Mr. Spock and more about choosing one’s reaction to the ebb and flow of life. In short: “Men are disturbed not by things, but the views which they take of them” (Epictetus, Enchiridion).

I have long been a practitioner of cognitive behavioral therapy. The main thrust of CBT is identifying and challenging negative, unproductive thoughts… thoughts that can lead one down the path to anxiety and depression. Stoicism exemplifies that.

NOTE: I plan to cover CBT in more depth in another post.

Intelligence: I value intelligence in myself and others. It’s important to devote time and energy to learning and enhancing one’s cognitive skills… everyday (see Kaizen, above). Granted, there are those that seem to have a greater degree of natural intelligence than others. Good for them, but I am more concerned with, as above, valuing intelligence along with prioritizing intellectual growth and development. So do a little something on a daily basis to expand your mind:

• Learn a new word (and use it).
• Make it a point to learn something new everyday.
• Watch a documentary.
• Take an online course about something of interest to you.
• Conquer a challenging brain teaser or some other puzzle.
• Listen to some music that you might not normally listen to.
• Read non-fiction when you usually read fiction.
• Read poetry when you usually read prose.
• Just read. A lot.

Being “dumb” is not funny. It’s not cool. We were all born with a certain amount of native intelligence, and I believe that we all have a certain amount of responsibility to ourselves and those around us to work diligently at developing it.

Integrity is two-fold. One, it’s all about treating others as I would want to be treated (to act in any other way is, in my view, a bit hypocritical). Two, it’s simply about being honest and doing right by yourself and others. Fortunately, the two typically go together.

I don’t like it when people are rude to me or those I care about, so I won’t treat others that way. I don’t like it when people try to take what’s mine, thus I won’t do that to anyone else.

Ultimately, it’s very simple: fair is fair.

Harmony: I’m not one to argue just for the sake of arguing. I believe that life is much easier when people at least try to get along. Yes, I will stand up myself and my beliefs when necessary, but I carefully pick my battles. Striving for harmony has become more important as our nation (and world) becomes more divided. So many people are consumed with labels and being right all the time. They insult others merely because someone dares disagree with them.

We need more people who at least attempt to get along with others. Ultimately, we are stronger when we band together.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to “reason for being”. Having an ikigai to consider can have a powerful, galvanizing effect on your life. My children certainly give me a reason for being, but I also strive to encourage and inspire those who struggle in life, as I have.

As I stated above, your values can act as framework for decision-making as well as a guide to how you conduct yourself. Take for example, the current state of political discourse. I see people become unhinged and hurl insults at one another, all as a result of differing opinions. Some post memes and links with no attempt to verify any “facts” therein... information that defies credulity. There are those who try to appear authoritative, yet exhibit sub third grade English skills. Being mindful of some of the value above could help in any of these instances:

• Before calling that person on the other side of the ideological aisle an “idiot”, or throwing out the insult du jour, why don’t you stop and think? Does insulting this person advance your cause or boost your argument? Name calling helps no one while deepening the divides between people.
• Prior to posting that meme about the other side’s candidate, take just a moment to do a little research. A quick Google search will generally give you a sense of whether your post is factual or not. A minimal investment of time and effort will help prevent the spread of untruths.
• I have seen comments on political posts that are so poorly written as to be incoherent. Take a second to capitalize, punctuate, and put that spell check to use.

Take a moment. Take a deep breath. Think. Acting completely on the emotion of the moment helps no one and serves nothing. Exert just a bit of self discipline and rise above the this mire. Use your intelligence to make certain that your comment is, at least, legible. Consider whether jumping into that argument is worth disturbing your harmony. I could go on, but I don’t wish to belabor the point.

There are times that one’s values can conflict with one another.

Navigate using your values as a road map, and your life will certainly be richer and more peaceful.

Seven Ways to Overcome Sales Call Reluctance

Call reluctance is, without a doubt, the number one killer of sales careers (and sometimes companies) in the world. I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count… as a headhunter, while selling advertising, and in my current role in sales quality control (and I have to admit I’ve been there myself). I’ve seen otherwise talented salespeople let go or quit simply because they struggled to get on the phone. I’ve seen companies tank because their account executives didn’t get out in front of enough prospects.

I’ve seen the price that sales call reluctance exacts, and it’s not pretty. The good news is that I’ve also seen people overcome call reluctance time and time again (myself among them), so it’s possible to knock this wall down and move forward to the sales career you deserve.

One call at a time

Do you remember the quote “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”? Let’s paraphrase that to read “the journey to a thousand sales begins with one call”. You can handle one call, right? It’s simple matter of doing the following:

1.       Pick up your phone handset (or headset).

2.       Dial a prospect’s number.

3.       Listen to the other end ring.

4.       Say “hello” when the other party rings.

5.       Have a conversation.

It doesn’t matter if you made a sale or even had a decent conversation. The point is that you did it, and that proves you can do it again.

Now that you’ve made that one call, it’s time to make (more than) a few more. Make it a game… track your efforts and try for a new personal best every day. Employ the “paperclip strategy” or something similar.

What are you afraid of?

Call reluctance often comes from a certain, specific fear. When you know your fear and really deal with it, you have a vastly better chance of overcoming it. Here are a couple of examples:

“I don’t know what to say”: This where you need to take the initiative to learn more about your company’s products and process. Study your company’s products. Research sales techniques and closes. Roleplay with your boss and fellow salespeople.

“I will get hung up on/ yelled at/ laughed at”: That’s right… you probably will. Realistically, calls like that are few and far between. Realistically, what’s the worst that can happen? It’s not as if someone is going to reach through the phone and punch you in the nose.

What’s your fear? How can you best overcome it?

What is your why?

We’re all different and we all have our own motivating factors. The classic sales motivator is money, but it’s at least as important to know what you actually want that money for.

Do you:

Want to provide for your family?

Get out of debt?

Go on an amazing, life-changing vacation?

Buy the home or car of your dreams?

It might not just be money, though. You may have something to prove to yourself or someone who doubted you. You might want to test yourself in the crucible of the hardcore sales world. Sometimes the chance to start over in a new career provides all the motivation you need.

One other why, one you may not have thought about: your company is depending on you. Sales is the frontline in the war of business. Salespeople bring in the revenue and new customers. Your company has chosen you to be a warrior in this fight. The future of your company and the continued employment of your colleagues might just depend on you picking up the phone.

What are you worth?

Everyone’s time has value. The good news is that you can choose how valuable your time is and treat it accordingly.  Let’s say that your goal is to earn $100,000 annually. That’s a great goal, by the way.

$100,000 in annual income translates to roughly $40.00 an hour. Keep track of how you actually spend your time throughout the day. Ask yourself “is what I’m doing right now worth $40.00 to me?”

Was it worth $40.00 to spend an hour of selling time on Facebook?

Was taking a half hour making lunch plans worth the $20.00 it cost you?

Was that fifteen minute conversation about last night’s reality show scandal worth $10.00 to you?

So stop with the time wasters.  Start acting like a $100,000 (or more) earner.

How can you help?

The company I work for provides digital marketing solutions to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the nation. Helping an up-and-coming construction company with their marketing strategy or even a new website can be extremely gratifying.

You might sell life insurance and find some satisfaction in helping families secure their financial future. Your company may market healthcare software, and each sale you make can help hundreds of people get faster and more efficient medical care.

Get confident and control your attitude

Call reluctance is often rooted in a lack of confidence. This confidence deficit is often new or merely temporary, (often caused by a lull in sales) so it’s important to attack it before it really takes root. It takes effort to get positive (and stay that way), but it’s well worth it!

Remember:

·         You were hired for a reason. Your company saw potential in you. It’s time to live up to that potential.

·         You have had successes in the past. You did it once (probably more than once) and that’s proof that you can do it again.

Make a list of your successes and best qualities… remind yourself that you still have what it takes.

Reading:

·         Find some sales or motivation books that you like. There’s plenty out there: Brian Tracy, Darren Hardy, Tom Hopkins, Jeffrey Gitomer, etc., etc. You’re certain to find a book that really speaks to you, moves you, and charges you up.

·         Search the internet for inspiration and sales information. This website is a great place to start!

Audio:

·         Just as there’s plenty of great stuff to read on the internet, there’s also a great amount of sales and motivational podcasts and audio programs to be had (again, you can find a wealth of material on this site alone).

·         Everybody has a favorite song or two that really gets them going. Find that song on YouTube and give it a listen at the start of the day. You can set up a playlist of your favorites in your mp3 player, or even seek them out on Pandora or Spotify.

Associations:

·         Get away from the naysayers and the negative types (as far as possible, as quickly as you can). Nothing will sap your motivation faster than being hammered by negativity on a daily basis.

·         Get away from the time-wasters. You may have someone in the cubicle next to you who wants to chat and goof around all day long. Don’t let them steal your time (and therefore money out of your pocket). See if you can move to another desk or office if necessary.

In the end:

Overcoming a serious bout of call reluctance will require that you access new reserves of determination, discipline, and drive… qualities that will help you in any endeavor, in any part of life. So go forth and SELL!

A very short story

I frequently correspond with a young friend about subjects such as goals, motivation, and life in general. Last week she emailed me a meme:

If you could go back in time, what advice or words of wisdom would you give to your younger self?
"Would love to hear your answer to this one actually..." she wrote.
My reply:

I think you already know my answer, but see below. Part of this is true.

We stood toe-to-toe. Looking at him gave me the sensation of looking in a mirror… his face was thinner and free of the lines that the last few years had wrought, but I was, in the end, looking into my own eyes. His jaw dropped and he took a half step back.
“Calm down, dude,” I said, nearly shouting to be heard above the din of the music and the crowd. “I’m not your evil twin, okay? I’m here to help.”

He shook his head. “Help? How?”

“I have two things to tell you,” I said. I paused. “Are you listening?”

He nodded.
“First… you’re going to have to choose soon. You’re going to have to choose between everyone telling you to be practical and go after the money and the white picket fence and the BMW, or going after what you know you really want. What you know you should do. That practical money-chasing shit will not end well. You take your own counsel. You decide what path to take. Do you understand me?”

He was quiet for a moment. “I do,” he finally said.

I smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. It somehow made perfect sense to treat one’s own self in such an avuncular fashion.

“What was the second thing?” he said. “You had two things to tell me?”

“Yeah.” I looked past him, towards the dance floor. “See that girl?”

He turned to behold a beautiful young woman, small but lithe, with long, flowing chestnut hair. She danced alone to “Take On Me” near one of the huge speakers.

“You should ask her to dance,” I said. “You will never see her again, but you will always remember her.”

“I can’t dance,” he said to me.

“I have a feeling she doesn’t care,” I replied.

He looked at me, wordless, unsure what to do.

“There’s one way to find out,” I said.
He gave me one last look before he approached her. I watched for just a moment as he spoke to her. Her smile was just as beautiful as I had imagined over the years.
I turned and disappeared into the crowd.