Twilight

These are my friends, Arlene and Russ.
This beautiful couple walks the mall when they can, always holding each other's hand one taking one step at a time.

Happy to see them, "Hi you two! Good to see you again!"

Arlene is always the first to reply each time while Russ smiles, "Hi, young man! Have we met before?"

"Of course, you are Arlene and Russ!"

Arlene almost jumps for joy, "You do know who we are!" She reaches for my hand and gives me a loving handshake.

Russ chimes in, "We are not as young as we used to be, so forgive us for not remembering. Time for us to go home."

Mall Cop En Feugo

This is my friend, Catarino, but you can call him Cat. Find him strolling the mall as a security guard stalking shoplifters and always first to assist the elderly. Youth is on his side, recently completing a workout regimen to execute a one arm pushup.

All his physical prowess is not for vanity - the last four years Cat spends his summertime as a volunteer firefighter battling Washington's wildfires.

Cat is pacing himself to become a police detective.

Thumbs Up Fons

This is my friend, Alfonso, AKA Fonz but points out it is Fon(s).
The longest tenured custodian at the mall, Alfonso is faithful in his work and always first to greet with a chummy smile and a broom in hand wave, "Heyyyy hiya doin?!"

I asked him what is the hardest part of the job fearfully imagining the worst of the restrooms, but was caught off guard with his response.

"People think they can yell at me to hurry up cleaning...and call me names. That's not right. People call me names my whole life and you shouldn't treat humans like that." Upside down smiles as we look at each other.

Today he turns 50 and the smile he gives [everyday] is as big as ever.

*A devout follower of the Seahawks, Fons shares his daydreams of going to see a home game someday.

Part Native, And The Rest Cornball

This is my friend, Jim. Of Chippewa and Osage ancestry, his Native American name Howlish means 'Brave Warrior'. He is indeed courageous, serving our United States of America in THREE military wars - WWII, Korean War and two tours in Vietnam. Honorable in both Navy and Army, Jim dedicated his life to our military for 30 years, retiring rank as staff sergeant.

This corny cowboy is the king of one-liners and will keep you smiling and laughing each time he passes by during his daily walk. Today's antique buckle is his Toppenish Wrangler.

*An ever devoted 12th man, Jim proudly fist bumps his Hawks.

I'll Gladly Pay You...Next Wednesday

This is my friend, Glen. For the last few years I will hear a pretend yawn, "Hey buddy..."

~End of 1st Year

A pretend yawn, "Hey buddy."

     "Hi Glen. How goes it today?"

"Boy," with an overworked look each time, "I could really use a cold drink right now..."

     "Sure; the regular Dr. Pepper?"

Thoughtful pause, "Yeah...I like Dr. Pepper...better make it a Dr. Pepper...and...I promise to pay you back...hmm...next Tues...how about next Wednesday? Yeah, I promise to pay you back next Wednesday. Is that ok, buddy?"

     "Of course. Here you go, Glen."

"Thank you and I promise to pay you back because you're my friend."

~End of 2nd Year
"Hey Glen, every time I see you I say your name. How come even though I have told you my name many times you never say mine?" My pride.

With a frown of frustration, "I'm sorry...I try to remember...but I have a hard time remembering some things..."

~End of 3rd Year
"Did I ever tell you why I can't remember...things?"
With the most tender mind, "I remember before being born and I remember fighting inside my birth mom, yelling at her to stop taking drugs and alcohol! She wouldn't listen to me! So when I was born half my brain was damaged. The doctors told my adoptive parents and that I would have problems but they adopted me anyway. So I am glad to be alive. I just wish I could have asked my birth mom why she did drugs..."

As I get to know Glen day by day, he teaches me how to be gentle and a gentleman.

*It might take a little while, but even though he does not have to, Glen doesn't forget and always remembers to pay for his drinks.

This Is How We Stroll

These are my friends, the roosters of the mall. Every first part of the day, you find the walking living getting in their daily quarter mile (more or less one inside lap of the mall). Afterward it is the celebratory coffee and chitchat over the daily hearsay.

For years, two mutually respectful cliques guard the north or south seating, God forbid a rival retiree to rest on the wrong side. Francis (far left) once complained boredom and revolted to another wing of the mall. His protest persevered for six months of solitude, then submitted back to the north.

In our day to day greetings, my friends share their latest limitations and almost always add, "I was like you once..."

Life Advice From Dr. Pepper

This is my friend, Adolph, but folks call him AG.
Twice a day he strolls the mall to rehab his double knee replacements and eight other surgeries. Daily salutation, "Getting ready for a busy day, eh? Get me a...medium Dr. Pepper. Uh, better make it a Diet Dr. Pepper. How's business?"
     "It is slow but I am trying to keep busy." smilingly I reply.
"Well, you gotta get ready for a busy day. It will come." (Points his finger at me) "But don't work to hard and take it easy, ok?"
     "Yes sir."
"Yeah, gotta get ready for a busy day. You take it easy, ok?"
     "I will, AG."

For 49 years through 16 hour days, AG ran a Mexican restaurant and worked tirelessly to make the American dream. The last couple years, he shares with me earnestly, "Let me tell you something. Don't work too hard just for money. I had it all but never got to enjoy any of it because I was always working. Before I knew it I'm like this now. It's not worth it. Your health and spending time with your family is the most valuable thing. My job now is to tell everyone to enjoy life while you can. I am not going to be around much longer. But maybe one day you will realize what I said and thank me in your mind."

This repetitive liturgy everyday gets prosaic but maybe I should take time to consider. Back to work.