Beauty

Waiting at the airport yesterday I participated in one of my favorite spectator sports: people watching. Oh, I would like to just have a blog about what I observe while strangers are doing their life. But Craig reminds me I am the only one who would call it a spectator sport worthy of commentary. Even so, among the hundreds of people milling, bee lining, and loitering one woman captivated my attention.

She was a tall black woman who seemed even taller because of the way she held her posture erect and dignified. To add further height she had all of her hair braided in quarter inch rows towards the crown of her head where the braids wrapped into a tight silky bun. Not one hair escaped.  The body on this woman would have made Marilyn Monroe feel insecure. Oozing confidence I watched her find her luggage carousel, retrieve her large bag as though it only carried a pillow and then wheel it away.

Gone. She left me thinking, hoping that our little girl will grow up to have her head held high without appearing arrogant and that she’d have the confidence and dignity this woman displayed without a word.

As mom and I were on our way towards the parking lot this woman approached me and asked for directions. I was stunned and nearly mute to see the beauty of her face up close. Her voice revealed a Nigerian accent. I know this because there’s a lot of oil business in Nigeria and so many Nigerians are  here in our area. I pointed her in the right way, she thanked me politely and then she turned the corner.  All I can say is that meeting her made me think of what my daughter will be like when she’s a grown woman. Gradually my outlook on my future is reshaping with the hopes of our relationshipas it establishes a firm ground.

I wish I were one of those people who don’t hesitate to ask a stranger to take their picture with me.When I was in China a young couple would now and then stop me and ask if they could have their photo with me. I had no idea why. Maybe it was the red hair. Maybe they had never seen an American, but that couldn’t possibly be. Maybe I’m that odd. Well, I am definitely not one of those who can ask for a memory from a stranger. Even if I met my favorite movie star I would shrink and become shy hoping I wouldn’t disturb their privacy. I’m just a silent observer who won’t miss a detail. I do wish now though I had a photo of this woman because her presence had such an impact on me.

Tomorrow there will be photos of graduation night!

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