Mary Jo Peckham Park in Katy, TX is one of my favorite places to go. I walk, mainly. And I do a little "people-watching" as I walk...
You will find there (by frequency of appearance): the athlete staying in shape; the guy and gal trying to jog together (they rarely can find a pace that works for both); the new mother taking her infant out for the very first time, all bundled in blankets; the group of experienced mothers chatting as they roll their toddlers along (a LOT of talking); the middle-aged man or woman trying to keep their heart healthy; the guy making a come-back from the stroke or heart attack; the new bridesmaids and brides preparing to fit into their gowns.
Then there are the family combos: the siblings- brothers, sisters, or brothers and sisters together. (Any of these combos tend to waive their hands a great deal as they talk); the father and son combos or father and daughter combo. (They walk and talk very deliberately, or little talking at all). It's very rare to see a mother- child combo walking in this particular park. They must go to the mall.
Look out for the husband and wife busy chatting along while their young children peddle around them on their bicycles. Back and forth, to and fro around them as though invisible bungie cords keep them in elliptical orbits around their parents.
There is the question of whether they will nod, wave, smile or ignore you:
The young women look the other way as you pass. The young men often ignore you. The older women will smile and often say "good morning" or some such thing. The older men will always nod or speak. Young children gaze at you with amazement like they never saw anything like this ever before.
Then there is the business at the park: men fishing along the eastern shoreline at appropriate distances like birds on a wire; grandfathers carefully and patiently helping their little ones bate the hook and cast the line; new couples getting to know each other. (They seem proud to be out in public with someone they consider nice.); couples having affairs. (They shirk off to the side, never speak or look up when you pass by.); special outdoor programs for elementary children complete with canoeing and archery (watch out!); ROTC groups running for the clock. (The early arrivers always go out and encourage the stragglers and the girls).
And there are the occasional events at the park: birthday parties, church picnics, family reunion, small groups reading their bibles and chatting, I've seen a couple arrests, and I once saw a funeral service!
The vast majority of things that go on at my park are good, real good. People come there to reconnect, to reflect, to relax. I pray for my park, that it will be an environment of blessing for the people that come. That in the quiet and in the laughter they may take a moment to consider the God that made this wonderful world we live in.
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