I have these kind of thoughts when I’m on an airplane. I look around at the other passengers and wonder how we would interact with each other if there was a problem on the flight. Who would step up as a leader? Who would be kind? Who would be motherly?
And when we’re driving through another city I wonder if I would be satisfied if this were my home? We each have had so many options in our lives, so many roads not taken. Yet the roads we have taken have led us here to this moment and these spaces. Yes, so many wonderings about our wanderings!

Exactly. We think alike, Gina. I like to imagine that someone was so excited to hold them as a baby and watch them take first steps, etc. And hopefully someone is still excited to see this man each day. That’s my wish for him.

My husband and I love to watch strangers too. We often come up with quite elaborate storylines as we imagine what their lives are like. 🙂

And there are so many mothers out there who do this, right? They don’t forget their children, regardless of the circumstances. Once in our heart, they’re always there. Thanks for your compassion, Aritha.

Yes, I agree with you, Jennifer. I hope this man does have people in spaces that are watching over him. I’m sure there are people out there who do care. I hope he has those connections.

It made me think of the mothers who still wonder, still pray, still hope — even when they no longer know where their child is or what happened along the way.

There is so much tenderness in noticing a stranger and remembering that he was once someone’s little boy.