st.louis and heading home
shuttle to the airport from the hotel - just me and the driver
the driver, a nice lady - old enough to be my mom - she's sweet
she calls me 'honey'
and i have the thought:
i think i will always be someone that people feel like they should take care of
ten years ago i was still being mistaken for a high schooler
now, i am just little - tiny, some even say -
and somewhat childlike in my outlook and manner
last year, at this time,
i was using a cane
i am somewhat fragile
but also so very tough
and, one day, i will be a tiny old lady
hopefully with snow white hair
maybe still wearing this 'just love' hoodie
eyes sparkling and crows feet folding behind colorfully framed glasses
sun-browned and joy-filled