Talk to strangers

Dear Blog Diary,

So I’m on the plane coming home to Ohio. Hoping that the seat next to me on the plane was empty. It wasn’t. Some old guy in a crunchy sweater and a puffer. So Denver.

Plane hasn’t even taken off yet, and then I notice. He’s wearing an Ironman watch like the one I am.

So I asked, “Pardon me, but are you an Ironman?” 

Now I’m already in an emotional state. I moved to Denver and had no intention of moving back so soon, maybe never. The place lived up to every expectation (except the people and it being expensive as fuck) but it was perfect. There is a part of me that feels rejected by Denver. Granted, the truth is that I came back to Ohio a better version of myself and a better Ohio waiting for me. Growth is like that. You never dip your toe into the same rivier but you’re never the same you that the river embraces.

Turns out, no he wasn’t. Dale Baker is a runner. He’s 83 and still runs everyday and does 10Ks. He ran the Boston marathon four times. He was 40 by then. To that I say, sir, you’re made of iron. 

We talked the entire flight about anything and everything. I asked him all kinds of questions.  

When did this world go completely insane?

“After they shot Kennedy.”

I died laughing.

“I haven’t voted democrat since JFK.”

He was a juvenile counselor for 30 years. Seen some shit. I asked him, “do you think humanity is good?” He told me that “good” is not the proper word. Told me of a young man that at 14 years old, killed his father with a shotgun. Just couldn’t take it anymore his father beating his mother. He’s a lawyer now in California.

So I asked him if humanity is kind. He said yes.

We exchanged numbers. Going to have cigars at some point. Too much wisdom for me to express in 2200 characters but I will say, sometimes in life when you're just barely inching forward, the universe sends you a Dale.

Two things I'll leave you with. I asked him if he still had ambition in this life. He replied:

I'm just trying to wake up everyday and be as healthy as possible.

And what spoke to me most:

You can go a long way in life with just curiosity.

Best,

E

#ARTiculate