Pleasantly Surprised

Forgive the blog interruption as I have missed posting the last 2 days due to my mothers computer that is apparently suffering from bipolar. We returned to Lafayette once again bidding farewell to my beloved New Orleans with its beautiful green covered levees and the smell of Magnolias in the air….ok so it’s really covered with cement walls and smells like piss and puke but I was having a moment don’t judge me! All kidding aside New Orleans is a one of a kind city with one of a kind people and just being born and raised there automatically gives you character. Probably took me all of about an hour to unwind a little, than decided before it got to late to take JoanJett for a walk. The rock star and I headed downtown towards the fountain hoping the lady with the hat would be there. Before I got there I asked God to show me who He wanted me to talk to . We got to the museum and turned towards the fountain. I passed the front of the fountain to sit on one of the benches towards the street and as I sat down I noticed a man sitting by himself two benches down. First thing he said “Thats a big dog how old is she?” I guess tonight God wanted it to be obvious being this man was the only person around. When I looked at him I saw a black man maybe in his 30′s and from the looks of his attire probably homeless but maybe not because he didn’t have any “stuff” with him. If there is one thing I have come to know about the homeless is that they always carry a bag,a knapsack, or maybe just a jacket but something. He was smoking a cigarette and had an empty chip bag. Remember that was my impression of him or rather that’s what I assumed. Come to find out he was 42 years old born at Lafayette Charity but raised in New Orleans in the 3rd ward and said his Aunt was a nurse at Baptist Memorial hospital.He said he had moved to Georgia before the storm and was married and has 3 children ages 9,7, and 3. Separated but not yet divorced he moved back to Lafayette in May and now lives with his mother who resides on Jefferson St.” Looking for steady work is hard” he said but he tries as often as he can to work on the garbage truck to which he replies “Somebody gotta keep the enviroment clean.” Which I guess was his way of letting me know he wasn’t ashamed. We got caught up in conversation failing to introduce ourselves and when he asked me my name he said “I like to remember people’s names.” His name is Irvin . Irvin also likes to read and wanted to become a nurse but wants to go back to school and finish with his 4 year masters. All this information from a man I just met in a 10 minute coversation. I was taking pictures of JoanJett by the fountain and asked Irvin if I could take his picture with Joan but he declined wich I respected but he  said it was bc we just met. I stood up shook his hand ,told him it was a pleasure meeting him and hope to see him again. Walking home I thought it was interesting that  had  I not took the time to speak to this man I wouldn’t have discovered the things we have in common. We both grew up in New Orleans and both had a relative that worked at Baptist Memorial Hospital as a nurse, his Aunt and my mother. Talking to Irvin helped me to discover some things about myself that need to change and I have to say I’m looking forward to the possibilities on this journey with Joan. Last and final thought on my meeting tonight with Irvin? Something about a book and cover. =)