It
was New Year’s Eve and the clock was nearing midnight. Around me, excited party goers were
engrossed in the festivities. A
large group was excitedly playing a board game, laughing louder and louder with
each move. In one corner of the
room, a quartet of people was deep in conversation, largely oblivious to the
others around them. In another
corner, a duo sat, animatedly engaged in their own discussion. I, it seemed, was the only one who
noticed the approaching New Year.
When midnight rolled around, I looked at my watch and
then at the group around me.
Nothing had changed. The
group continued with their game.
The quartet seemed even more intent in their discussion. The duo in the corner did not so much
as pause their conversation.
Because a new year had indeed begun . . .on the east coast. But, the old year still had 3 more
hours, at this party on the west coast.
It was a slow afternoon at the tiny Seattle coffee shop. As I opened the door, a group of three school-aged boys ran in front of me. Each of the boys was lugging an overloaded backpack with them. They obviously had just left the private school a couple of blocks down the street. As I perused the menu, the three boys placed their orders, all the while joking with one another. The first two each requested a pastry and a glass of water. The third boy studied the menu a bit longer before deciding. “Umm. . . I’d like a tall espresso, double shot, please.” The cashier giggled a bit, thinking that her young customer was just repeating something he had heard adults order. After a few seconds, she jokingly said to him, “Alright. . . whatever.” Noticing that the boy seemed serious, she looked puzzled. Then, sh...
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