i often marvel at where my feet lead me. when i meet someone randomly, i always backtrack in my mind the route i took to get there: up one street instead of another, cutting diagonal through the park, deviating my normal routine because of a walk sign going the other way. instead of going home after work today, i aimed for the library to pick up some books on chanel and dior. (i’m reading up on french fashion before my trip.) i love placing books on hold at the library. it satisfies my spendthrift urges: i go online, pick out my books and in a day or two they’re ready for pickup. it’s like shopping, only it’s free! so fulfilling. thank god for libraries.
anyway, today i wandered through town in a zigzag way, tried to avoid all the road construction and heavy traffic, made a quick side trip in a store, and finally ended up in front of the library, face to face with a guy i knew in college who i hadn’t seen in three years. in school he was more of a friend of a friend, but nice all the same. we chatted for 10 minutes about real estate (he lives in the one of the only neighborhoods B and i will likely be able to afford) and the friend we have in common and i got his email address so we could meet for tea some afternoon. he works at the university mere blocks from my office. i’m going to be diligent about following through with emailing him; making an effort is something i’m working on.
as i walked into the library, out walked F, a guy i met at a neighbors’ party six months ago. he and his girlfriend had dinner at my apartment once and are wonderfully talkative and interesting and smart. today we only chatted briefly as he and gf were about to meet a realtor to see some houses. the serendipity!
and when i retraced my steps; when i thought, what if i’d gone straight instead of taking a right, what if nordstrom’s did indeed have the mascara i wanted and i took 5 minutes to buy it, what if i’d left work 40 seconds earlier or later? everything could have been different. how lovely that i could look back on the map of my day and see how its trail led me to the front steps of the library at that very moment. it makes me think: everything i do right now will lead me to right then, over there, soon.