Leg 2 - Human Interest Story:

While in Oceanside, I got back to the van after my morning walk on the beach and found two women standing close to it and looking in the back window.  I said hello and that I didn’t want to startle them because I was going to open the door.  We started chatting.  They both are interested in getting a van like mine, so were asking questions.  Anne was the one most interested in getting a van – she does a lot of traveling and likes to be outdoors.  Debbie was the second woman.  They are from Phoenix.  I led with my normal opening line, and Debbie immediately looked me in the eye and saw things there that I wasn’t ready to give up to a stranger.  She told me she runs a non-profit in Phoenix that provides life coaching for women.  In my most recent years, I have scoffed at the concept of life coaching, because it seems like it is done by 35-year-olds.  What could a 35-year-old possibly have to tell someone in my stage of life?  But she talked about how they tend to work with older women who have suffered some kind of abuse.  I am intrigued.  When I get back, I will look up her organization and perhaps that might be a life path for me…?  Anyway, Debbie talked about self-compassion and valuing oneself, and how these are tenets of what her organization does.

They were both so kind and gentle and supportive.  It was the highlight of my day.  It filled my heart.