WHAT IS A LIFE WORTH?
More often than not, when reading blog posts, viewing pictures or hearing news stories out of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, we are faced with images and stories that are, at the very least, heartbreaking. To describe the lifelessness and defeatist existence that is mere blocks away from the glittery condos is near impossible. Even more impossible is understanding it.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple sentence.
Photo: cyclonepower on Flickr
This morning the sun poured through the windows as I stretched out of bed. It was a beautiful day and decided that I couldn’t waste it indoors. That being the case, I asked a friend if I could steal their dogs for a walk to the park and enjoy the sunshine. The park, located at the top of Main Street, already had its fair share of off-leash dogs, and the two I was toting along were eager to join the pack. As we entered the soggy and muddy grass, I heard a girl shout out “cute dogs!”
She called to them and they, in turn, trotted towards her because they’ll take any opportunity they can to be petted. The girl frolicked with them for a moment or two, all the while smiling and laughing. She stood up and asked me how old I was. After giving her my reply, she laughed and simply said: “You’re 27 and you have a life; I’m 23 and have no life.”
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6 Comments
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Sad post but it tells quite a story.
This story says so much.
It never ceases to amaze me how the few words from a total stranger have an impact on one’s self. Tends to make you ponder.
It’s amazing how much can be said with so little words…
I’ll bet it hit you hard as soon as they words left her mouth…
That’s when you wish you could reach out right there and do something about it, but you can’t…
Very heartbreaking…
Wow. Heartbreaking indeed. But if there is any glimmer of hope here, I would want to hazard a guess that maybe the fact that you shared a moment of your time with her and that she could share a smile and laugh with the cute dogs probably made that moment one of the best of her day.
a “…simple sentence…” indeed told the whole story.
wonderful job capturing all of it with as few words as possible.
also, i’ve got a puppy named ‘buster’ who would love some company. the power of the “petting” is very, very strong.
dont underestimate it.