Sidewalk Ghosts

This is a story written by an author, who, on a day that has gone stressfully sideways, has found himself calmed by the words of a most generous communicator. His name is Jason, and in England he resides. Yet even though we are separated by histories, cultures, and time zones, he stands like a new neighbor. Even a good friend who has reached out to ground me in managing my own distractions and frustrations; and at this very moment of producing this episode, his wise and humble outlook toward the youth of tomorrow has de-escalated my agitated outlook, and in listening to him, my hope is that he may benefit us all in the same way...

And even thought our history, race and gender are radically different, both Shannon and Heidi held me as if I was blood related family, and as I dropped my walls to breath in their light, their sisterly tenderness and love filled my chest. I gained not only a vision as to who they are, but found myself taking inventory of my own past and present. To look toward the individual responsibility we each have as part of the billions of caretakers who walk this planet – and in that, inspired to throw a question to us all:  How do we clearly see through the lightening bolts that life offers us...

Through her listening eyes and seeing mind she advocates for no self-gain or grandeur. Credits her most humble outlook to the pained past and nurturing courage of goodly parents. Her very presence blossomed from seeds planted by a father, who in his own life had first hand witness the worst of what humankind can do. She is grounded. Transparent, as welcoming me into her life, I was overwhelmed by her love for the value of human life. And as we talked of the fragility this living experience extends to each of us, she entrusted me in seeing the torch that flamed her legacy. And as she did, I re-imagined not only my own life, but saw a fire of hope that I pray burns into the hearts of us all...

A messenger for change and a survivor of a profiling war, his stripes are worn and innocent. From the darker streets of a 1970s Harlem his disciplined heart has glowed him past the pull of drugs, his forgiving spirit beyond the murder of friends, and an ability to give credit to others, entryway to healing the trauma and temptation of the troubled birthright that has been graced upon him...

We talked of our pasts, of our reasons for doing what we do, and to that point, even shared a few hidden secrets in our closets. All the while, her listening eyes hearing beyond the noise of first impression...

Within her a life-decision stretches the walls of her heart. Yet strong she is in her conviction to balance a choice, that to her, grounds the very person she is as well as the spiritual outlook she strives to live by. A palpable essence that all so real in meeting her is one that testifies of her compassion toward others, herself and her acknowledgement of a loving God...

I waited a little apprehensive, even nervous, as I anticipated their arrival; two individuals of global visibility who, as entertainers and advocates for the betterment of society, carry a monumental list of life accomplishments; so as the new guy on the block of outreach, yea, the thought of meeting them left me somewhat weak kneed.

The place we were not important, and the date and time irrelevant for the telling of this story. What is of center topic is the spirit I felt as I received a most sure and evident answer– A peace and acceptance, if you will, that, swelling in my chest as they entered the room, clicked all so relevant to the mission of Sidewalk Ghosts. We all have an inner glow that is of profound impact on this world we share, and no matter if we are living in the limelight or not, if we listen to it’s pureness, it has the presence to flow into the hearts and lives of others...

So there I was, scraping the tiredness out of my eyes as I she pulled me to the truck st op cooler. Her sugar-laced beauty whispered a sweetly terrible taste as the simple thought of her awakened me. Her magic crushing my reasoning, I submitted to the anticipation of her promise. She was my compulsion, and with 600 miles of Los Angeles to Salt Lake City still ahead, the cobwebs hanging in my head exploded my craving for her...

I’ve been stuck in a battle. A struggle that after 15 years of watching the area behind my house decompose as ignored weeds grow to the height of property destroying trees, my restrain has worn Origami thin. My families sense of security and privacy in question as looking over my now leaning and cracked wall, I watched her and a few others inventorying the property...

Her eyes glowed a radiant blue as I approached her, and with her jaw dropped to breath the midnight air, she exhaled with the thunder of a confident and roaring voice. And as her tone settled to a purr, I began to see past her dark exterior...