THE WOMAN IN THE LOBBY

The days have definitely been stressful. Avoiding the television news in order to cope has become the strategy each day. But, if you don’t turn on the news, you don’t know what’s happening in the community, in the city, or in neighboring cities. I’m caught in the crossfire of too much information competing with not having enough. I’m concerned about how the effects are impacting our day to day, more intimate lives.

Realizing that I had not left the condo all day, I decided to take the elevator down to the lobby to retrieve the day’s mail. While waiting for the elevator, I realized that it was an incredibly beautiful day outside. A sunny, bright blue sky coupled with a cool crispness that only Long Beach can produce. The thought crossed my mind that life is good. Even with challenges presented by a COVID-19 world and the need for serious social justice reform, this moment needed to be savored, much like one would do while enjoying a great meal with the appropriate beverage. What will I prepare for dinner tonight? Ding. The elevator arrived at lobby level.

As the elevator door open, I looked across the empty lobby. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been this cold look in our lobby. It’s the central meeting point for everyone living in the community. These days, even the building ambassador is working from home. The sound of voices is muted since everyone is staying at home. As I crossed the lobby, headed to my mailbox, a woman emerged from around the corner and headed toward her right, approaching the Beach Building door. I gave a hearty “good afternoon” to which there came no reply. The white woman clearly heard my friendly greeting – I noted that she was not wearing a headset or talking on a mobile phone. I stopped. I announced in clear, enunciating style, “GOOD AFTERNOON”. I kept thinking, what is going on with her? Then, she stopped, looked at me and uttered “oh, I’m so sorry”. Before I could ask if everything was okay, she went on to say, “excuse me, there is so much going on these days…”. I could only hesitate before saying, “yes, you are right, that’s why I said good afternoon”. Then, in broken phrasing, the woman said “oh, good afternoon” and then broke down crying and immediately opened the door to the outside and scurried away.

It couldn’t have been something I said. Or could it? Could it be that no one has spoken to her today? Did something happen to her? Was the weight that she was carrying so heavy that she was unable to acknowledge my presence and acknowledge a simple greeting? Whatever the reason, I forgive her. I’ve learned during this difficult period that even though we’re wearing masks and limited in our movements out and about our homes and neighborhoods, it’s a perfect time to let our guard down and engage strangers. Say hello to people who look different than us. Perhaps my view of these days as an ‘opportunity to build bridges’ is not shared by everyone. Or, she could have been experiencing a very bad day. And, it wasn't about me.

My hope is that whatever happens to be bothering her is resolved quickly. These days represent the perfect time for healing ourselves and experiencing the joy of life on our planet. Yes, these are troubled times. Troubled times for all of us. The good news is that we’re in this together. Staying cloaked inside our personal cocoons is definitely not the way to build a bridge or shift a landscape. Opening the door to new experiences is the only way to create opportunities for living a better, more harmonious life with those we know nothing about.

I’m taking that chance every day. And, one day, this chance I’m taking, won’t feel like such a bold move. Won’t you please join me?