Day 42: London, England.
From South Brompton to Hyde Park, the cab driver shared story after story. Of his 69 years, of his three marriages, of his son and his daughters and the new grandchild. Of being a cabbie in Dallas and New York, of his love of the John Adams mini-series and American accents and how he can always tell the Americans by the way they look people straight in the eye, of how alike London and New York City are even down to the boroughs, of where he lived and where he lives now, and why he can vote for mayor and his brother can’t.
There were so many stories, complete with maps and photos. It was the beginning moments of Christmas, and the rain was falling gently. We longed for dry and warm and quiet to welcome the holy day. He had nowhere to go on this night turned morning – so he took the long way as his stories flowed like a river.
And then, he paused.
“I’m Jewish. My father fled Nazi-occupied Holland. I think about that a lot. Had he not escaped to London, I wouldn’t be here now. Alive. With you.”
And that story made all the stories beautiful.
So, what stories are beautiful to you? What causes you to take note of what someone is sharing – what captivates you?
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Shoot like a Girl began as part of the #31days project. You can learn more about the “why” of my story and see all my daily posts here. I’d love to stay in touch with you – be sure to subscribe to my blog and visit my writer’s page to get updates on stories and special projects, including a collaborative that will publish this spring and a book about women who are fighting for change and beauty. Thank you for your encouragement!