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Health & Fitness

Hidden Within My View

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to see the play Legally Blonde at the Renton Civic Theatre in downtown Renton, Washington on Third Street. Living a short distance from the theatre had its advantages. I could zoom down the hill shortly before performance time, having purchased tickets with reserved seating earlier in the week, run in to to the theatre shortly before start time, and hop in to my seat with precise timing. I had done this routine numerous times. This evening was one I looked forward to sharing with my youngest daughter. I recounted to her the humorous side of the movie starring Reese Witherspoon I had seen many years ago. Parking was easily accessible, and I parked minutes away from the theatre entrance.

Sharing a laugh, I gently tossed my purse upon my shoulder as my daughter’s eyes darted to her left in mid-sentence. “He is there again,” she said as I continued moving forward not wanting to be late or miss a moment of what was sure to be a humorous evening. “Who are you talking about?” I questioned, while hitting the button to change the crosswalk light. “That man in the corner,” she explained. Looking back towards the vacant Salvation Army Thrift store building, I didn’t see anyone and shook my head somewhat bewildered. What I did observe was an old white-rug someone had propped against a section near the front door, and what appeared to be a water-bottle. That annoys me when people litter, I thought to myself. “There is no one there,” I insisted. “Mom, look again, someone is there.” As the light changed, I turned to glance once more. Looking closer, I noticed movement. The rug shifted forward slightly. At the sound of our voices, the movement stalled. I gasped, how did I miss someone lying near the abandoned building covered by a discolored white rug? As we crossed the street I felt a churning in my stomach, we paused momentarily upon reaching the other side of the street. “It’s not the first time they have been there mom. Someone was there the last time we came to the theatre. I thought you saw them.” The words of my youngster rang in my ears throughout the evening.

Exiting the theatre I wondered about the spot as we approached the building. The building next to my vehicle I had jumped out of hours before. As I pulled out my keys I paused. It was then that I clearly saw what was initially shaded in my site. Hidden from my view were life happenings because my earlier pace was too quick to take in my surroundings. I was guilty of having tunnel vision for another activity.  The slight shifting was evident, a black backpack was visible, resting against the blue wall; water bottle half-filled with what appeared to be water, and a colored jacket rested on the side-walk nearby. Should I say something? I wanted to. This was our local community. However, debating this question, I decided not to approach this individual. Remembering the lessons learned through volunteering for Communities in Schools, I remembered an important message received from one family liaison. “People have their pride no matter what state they are in.” I was not going to take that away from them.

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As I left thinking about the individual resting under the rug, I spoke with my daughter about the many blessings we have and the importance of helping others in need. We continuously work on volunteer projects as a means of giving back to our community and throughout the Seattle area annually but it never seems to be enough. The need is so great and seems to continuously increase. Many individuals often need assistance, but helping commences when we can each clearly see that which is hiding within our view.

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