Conversations with Strangers

I got on the correct bus, but in the wrong direction...so instead of ending up at the Tigard transit center to head to Newberg I ended up in downtown Portland. On top of that I met some very interesting people today on Trimet. This one man sits next to me. I try not to judge because I know everyone is different and should be a given a chance. I too know what it feels like to be judged. Yet I couldn't help but wonder why there was an intense look of, what I would consider, to be a hateful rage in his eyes. I didn't care about the fact that is face was painted blue, the metal choker around his neck, nor all of the piercings in his ear. I feared his eyes. So he sits next to me and starts talking and just doesn't stop. He begins to tell me his life story. He told be about all of his years of doing drugs. He and his friend ran a meth lab, for which they were busted for, and as a result spent some time in federal prison. He proceeded to pull up his sleeves and show me his tattoos. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to be distracted by all of the ticks flying around on the bus, and trying to focus on what he was saying instead of on the look in his eyes. He goes on to tell me about his many wives, time he spent traveling on the road and with his rock band, the albums he produced, and the book he wrote. He told me about the domestic abuse he faced throughout his life. Turns out he is a physique vampire/ Christian, who is able to suck the energy out of people. He was part of the "darkside", he explained. Lastly he told me he was also bipolar and schizophrenic. I'm glad I decided to sit and engage in conversation with him. As uncomfortable as I was at first...I enjoyed hearing about his story. Everyone has a story. Even if one's story isn't of the silver spoon nor white picket fence, it's still their story. Everyone deserves to be listened to. I'm not saying put yourself in a detrimental situation, but possibly try engaging in conversation with a stranger sometime. When you ask how someone is doing and for once they say "not so well" take the time to listen instead of giving them a weird look or the cold shoulder. I hate taking the bus, but I may as well make the most of it😊 he's also been clean for 10 years.

|| J.B. Combs||