Now, I also have something I've written on the page -- in Walmart it was to ask a clerk where the razors were. She flapped in one direction and then walked off. I checked the aisle, and only found electric razors and clippers. I tried it again and somehow bumped into the same clerk without realizing it was she. "I told you. The next aisle!" I went back for a second glance and she appeared at the end of the aisle and said, loudly, "BeHIND you!" I turned around and there were the disposable razors, which were great. "I just don't know WHAT you want!" she erupted again, before disappearing.
I went the Galleria by bus to the Post Office. My blood sugar had been really low (benefit of Silence and being rather mellowed by it all?) so I opted for MacDonalds and some Chicken -- protein to get things back to a more liveable level. That particular clerk was an amazing person. I showed her my order I'd written on the pad. She knew I could hear -- earbuds in my ear from my music gave that away -- and she smiled and told a coworker to make sure when this order was ready to take it to me, pointing me out.
Then, I paid her and -- my little invention -- the first page of the small spiral memo pad has a message I've written and it has been seen by clerks and bus drivers -- It simply says,"Thank you!" This time, I held it just under my chin for her to read and smiled over the top of it. When I turned to walk away, the cashier said to someone, "Oh, bless his heart!"
I didn't get a receipt -- and didn't now what my order was "filed under." I went back up, and pointed out my order in my memo book to another worker. No problem. She turned and asked which cashier had taken the order -- nicely, at that -- and in ten seconds I had the order in my hand.
As for me, keep in mind I'd done some limited bits of Silence as of late, but not a full run at things. I was amazed. Absolutely astonished at how I felt. I sat and ate and the whole world, and, more particularly, my mind was just plain clear and still. What I was looking at was the same, as if the focus had been adjusted and even the lighting more "alive." I don't have another word for it, but that's as close as I can come.
The HEB grocery run was more of the same, only I was getting a little slicker on having the book ready ("Could you double bag these?" or "Thank you!") On the way home on the bus, bags in hand, the world was, well, lighter, as in less heavy. Head the same way. The bus driver let me on and immediately started the bus on down the road, which tossed me backwards as cane and umbrella flew. No problem. I sat down and picked them up. He did a few more boneheaded things - like slowed at a Bus Stop but didn't see the woman coming up 2 feet from the bus' closed door and he took off again -- as if his goal was to break the national land speed record.
I noticed the bus number, but the whole idea of getting on a high horse and calling to report the guy appeared ridiculous, a thought not worth riding off with and grousing about for the shabby treatment. It was left behind, much like the poor passenger signalling outside for the door to open.
