Contrasts

On Saturday afternoon after Alan returned from a morning meeting, I 'ran away from home' for a while. I found a store that had moved, drove in a neighbourhood i hasn't seen in the day light and went to a shopping center i had driven by dozens of times. In this shopping center was the most wonderful little cafe.

Open on two sides it, the feeling was light and sunny with the other walls blue-striped. Lots of pink could be seen. The wooden tables and chairs painted a soft cream sported comfortable cushions. A large table in front contained bell shaped, candy-striped ribbon bedecked glass lids over plates of treats-cookies, muffins, brownies and macaroons.

Two woman sat in a corner in comfy chairs talking intently the whole time i was there. A table held several young girls celebrating a birthday. Mom, dads, aunties and babies took part in the singing. Another table held 'big girls' throwing a birthday party for a friend of theirs.

The menu boasted tasty sounding but atypical combinations, whole grain bread and unusual lunches. I read my book and a left-over morning newspaper made available for their breakfast crowd. I was so pleased with myself and my find and my having a moment to myself. But the grocery store and home called me.

Then a kilometer or so down the road i passed a former nursery. I went to their going-out-of-business sale sometime last year or maybe before. Rumours indicated an apartment complex was eminent. However, i see it still empty and the adjoining house torn down. Really a eye-sore; missing fence, broken building, overgrown greenery. Looking closer I saw people on the ground and by an out building. In the right third of the picture below someone in yellow is on the right and a white hat to their left.

Above, to the right of the fence post are three men and to the left at the top of the post is a man in a red hat. There were a few others as well. Some are probably just taking a short rest before they move on, but i suspect that several, at least, live there. And i bet not a one is proud of themselves, or heading home or to the grocery store or have just come from coffee out.

I'm constantly confronted with this imbalance and am at a loss as how to explain (justify?) my many blessings. And at a loss as how to redress the multitude of injustices or explain situations in which i find myself or find myself observing.