I’ve sat on many benches in my life and the reason why I remember specific benches is because of who I was accompanied with, and the memories they created. A rickety bench overlooking the lake turned one ordinary day into something extraordinarily special.
When I sat on a bench one day, I intended to be alone and spend time with myself. The world clearly had other plans because my afternoon was spent in the company of others. My friend later told me that I had my very own “Forrest Gump” moment, and that this was a cool story to share. Looking back and recalling the events, it’s funny how a bench is more than just a place for people to sit on; it can become a shared space where conversations are made and stories are exchanged.
As I was eating my lunch on the bench, a person came and sat down on the other end, closely watching the water. There was no dialogue needed to understand his choice for being on the bench, which was evidently to find calm within the storm. He needed a break from the corporate world but couldn’t escape the pigeons that swarmed around us. Eventually, he grew tired of the view or the pigeons. Funny how both people and pigeons are trying to find their place within the urban environment.
Along came another individual, who had found her new home in the city. She was planning on venturing to the island for the day, her eyes fresh with wonder and fear. Her unwelcome encounter with a stranger just before she stopped by the bench left her wondering what all the fuss was about. However, the sparkling opportunities that lay ahead of her were not about to stop her. Lessons about girlhood, safety, and the places we call home lingered even as she walked away and carried on with her day.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw an admirer looking my way. I was busy typing away on my laptop when a shadow blocked my view of the lake. What lay in his tattooed hand was a paper that was intended for me to read. Inside the paper was an exemplary first impression that filled my heart with hope. I wonder if more people view me the way this stranger did, as he rollerbladed out of sight. I sat starstruck, replaying the meet-cute to remember, thinking that it echoed a modern-day scene out of a romance movie.
I looked over to my left and saw a person visibly upset, and I thought to myself how such a happy place should not be tainted with such sadness. However, while the bench by the lake brings me happiness, it is also useful for other reasons. The lake is a safe haven to feel all the emotions a human can possibly feel, and release. After all, both tears and the lake are made of water. You never know the things people may be going through, so always be kind.
Movements of people are fleeting, as they come, sit, get up and walk away. I learned so much that afternoon, especially that even when you feel you’re alone, sometimes you never really are. Even if I wanted to be truly by myself, the feeling of human connection was shining through. While benches are temporary, the moments that fill the gaps of time are what are remembered.
People are interesting creatures with their diverse stories waiting to be shared. Benches pull people together and allow them to be present in the moment. Conversations with strangers are underrated, just like conversations in general, which are taken for granted. Life is truly a box of chocolates (Forrest Gump, 1994) so sometimes just sit and stay a while.