I walk out for a 5-minute errand: get some cash.
Hi! someone says when I've walked 20 steps.
It's my Finnish friend Heli. We catch up. She says, let's take a picture for Tone, her friend & mine once she introduced us. I happen to be wearing the Norwegian knit hat Tone gave me when I was in Norway in September.
Someone runs past, whirls back. It's June! I introduce them, Heli takes off & June gives up her run to walk with me to the bank. On 7th Street we run into Johnny, who growls because we block his roller before he realizes he knows us.
I'm ecstatic to spend time with June, & she is amused that I keep trying to buy her things & give her cash. She goes with me to the 99¢ store, where she finally lets me buy her something: 3 pairs of hello 2026 glasses that she will sneak to Mexico, where they're headed on Thursday. We talk about wills, including ethical wills, & also how strange & wonderful it is to all be here at the same time.
My favorite thing: to run into people I love. To be with people I love. To love people in the here & now.