Local Characters...

This week, the high school my three attend is conducting its yearly tests to show student progress. My sophomore takes all the tests, and the other two go to school later in the day after the testing is finished. This morning, my senior and I dropped off some donations before she went to school. One of our local characters, Ernie, was looking through the donations, and then through the garbage. He had his bags of cans on his 3 wheel Schwinn bicycle, his helmet, and his grimy overcoat. He is a man approaching 60 it seems, but looks to be 80. He makes his money beyond the social security he receives mowing local folks' lawns. He always wears the same coat, and is out in all types of weather, all times of day/night. He was not always at school, and was not shown a great deal of affection it seems growing up.

So, now, there is Ernie, that most people know is Ernie, rather harmless, and sweet, and oh so very alone. He talks to everyone, and then himself. You can smell him distinctly, but his smile can melt your heart. He tells you how "purty" you are. "Gee, you're purty" and chuckles. He then goes about his business and carries on.

How do we carry on? What do we whine about daily? Do we find solutions or create drama around our problems? My oldest daughter and I discussed this as we drove to her school. How do "characters" evolve, and become a part of our landscape? When do we not rescue people and just allow them to live out the existence they are in? Would he be better off if we did "help him" in a way we want to, or would he rather be in the existence he is in? Do we try and change people too much? These were the questions we pondered in our drive of about 12 blocks. It forced us to look inside ourselves and decide if we were truly happy, and if we needed any changing.

I decided I do. I signed up for a ballet class, and filled out my Financial Aide forms online. Here I go!