Understanding Humans

A divorcing couple sat in my office. Four years before, on a fateful night, on their eighth wedding anniversary, an oak tree fell in front of their car. The husband stepped out into the rain. He stepped into a puddle. His body convulsed. He fell to the ground.

He had been electrocuted.

Several weeks later, as he lay in a coma, his wife left for their vacation home in Mexico — where one day they were to retire. She never did return. He learned to talk again. Alone. He learned to walk again. Alone. Now, four years later, she sought…

Understanding Humans

It was late winter. A blustery morning. I was mountain biking. Raindrops pattered high branches. But below the canopy, the world was still dry. A sudden wind bent the redwoods. And then I saw it. To my left. Now behind me. I skidded to a stop.

I was surprised I saw it — because I never do notice trees and branches and leaves when I’m moving quickly. But I did.

Oh god, I thought.

I flipped my bike around and pedaled slowly, quietly, for I might frighten away magic.

Oh, she would have loved this.

I rolled closer. Twigs snapped…

Last Saturday my wife and I went to Trader Joes. We arrived twenty minutes before opening and were 30th in line. Everyone was spaced outside the store in six-foot gaps. Within ten minutes 50 people lined the street behind us. We strategized:

Split up. Get meat, we are low on chicken. And of course, get a lot of broccoli and kale. Important for the immune system…

A smiling TJ’s clerk walked up the line spraying waiting hands. Who would have thought that sanitizer could make us all feel so happy? They opened the store early. The line moved very quickly…