I started with that man. As I told Svetlana, all of the most important things I’ve done in my life have begun with a single person.

(For the record: I’ve been challenging that statement to myself since I said it out loud to her, but I have to stand by my words – I haven’t been able to recall a single counterexample yet.)

There is a LOT of noise and worry and stress, on macroscopic and microscopic scales in every human life, in any given human mind.

It’s always been my experience that the only thing in the world with the power to make it ALL seem small, manageable, and even silly, is people. Just people. Good, bad, and ugly. For better, for worse. In sickness, in health…

So to go and be among all of you is sweet, sweet relief, and to know you at least just by rendering you is irresistible.

I chose to focus on this lovely lady in her red scarf because she chose me!

When? About 10 minutes before the start of mass.

Where? In the women’s bathroom.

Why? She was extremely concerned about the lack of toilet paper and/or a functioning lock in each stall, and she requested my services in holding the door shut for her while she relieved herself.

I really like her, not only because of her general old-school charm and reasonably engaging small talk, but also because of her bravado in talking to a stranger (me) about potentially socially awkward notions (such as women needing to urinate – *gasp*)!

Also, can someone wake up Jojo?