Random Blatherings

At work, we see a lot of what you might call “characters”. One of them is Mad Pigeon Woman. She’s not in the least mad, but it seems to suit her. She’s a little old woman, with an Irish accent, who feeds the pigeons in the square outside of work, and she’s lovely.

The first time I met her I was a little freaked out because I couldn’t understand what she was saying, but now I look forward to her coming in, because she’s so happy all the time. She always inquires as to how I’m doing (seeming genuinely interested in the answer), and has a quick tale to tell that’s usually amusing. Whenever she does the Lotto, she shakes my hand for luck.

She has this aura of contented happiness around her, and in a way I’m jealous of that. I saw her one night, after closing, feeding the pigeons, and I thought that it must be great to be able to find pleasure in such simple things. I hope that when I get to her age, I’m that content. I’m on my way there, I think. No, I know I’m on my way there, and that is good.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for MPW. Anyone who can find a little brightness in this world is someone to emulate.