we went to greece
film from aristi and athens.
If “spring forward” daylight savings is going to happen, it is best that it happens on the first 60 degree weekend. I was in DC with my mother-in-law this weekend, and coming back to New York yesterday was glorious. (I know I know, it’ll get cold again). But walking from the subway back to my apartment at 5pm, the sun not even close to setting and everyone out in light jackets or even t-shirts, spring you are COMING.
A small story. An older woman got on in Baltimore and sat next to me on the Amtrak, her red lipstick matching both her bag and her shoes. We smiled at each other, but then slipped into our private train time, me with my headphone on, her gently dozing. As we got closer to New York, she got on the phone with someone and also pulled out a small bag of food. She touched my shoulder and handed me a clementine. I took it and ate it right there next to her, as she ate hers. And I just couldn’t stop thinking about how I should have politely declined the orange. Why hadn’t I? I didn’t need it, she did, and I’d taken one of her oranges from her day of travel. But I did want it, and the way in which she offered was both so firm and open. As if she packed an extra one for this exact reason, for the person sitting next to her. It was very easy to accept the gift. Made me think about how ways of giving should be more like that. Not some huge sacrifice, not with a lot of noise. But just with true presence and connection. A small orange on a train home.
Trip to Greece is behind paywall for today.
