Imagine That

It was mid afternoon on a crisp early December day that I saw her. Like watching a movie she seemed to be unaware of my presence. Her gait was slow and meandering as she approached the beginning of a sidewalk buried by colorful leaves of fall. Then suddenly, as if surprised, she turned her head, and like flipping a switch I watched as a spring of joyful life filled each step of the next 60 seconds. Although I never saw her face I knew she was smiling and laughing, and free. It was an unmistakable display of pure happiness. Nearing the end of natures playground she slowed her gait again then paused leaning into a tree and tapping her toe behind her. She seemed to be grateful for the last moments of the fading sun shining softly on her skin. From joyful to content, at least I had hoped, I could only assume the presence of her joy was still with her. A final act of surprise came when she knelt down to gather a big scoop of leaves from around her feet and hold them at arms length in front of her. After a moment of stillness, she slowly began to let the leaves fall from between her fingers until they were half gone, then threw the rest into the air above her head, arms reaching high as a champion. Still unable to see her face, I hadn't the benefit of a facial expression to guide my thoughts. It may have been that very thing that drew me into her fantasy and somehow made it my own. I saw a story of hope when I watched her through my heart of colored glass and wondered to myself, which of us had just imagined that? - Jeannie Minor