I'm not sure if alot of people realize that I am an extreme introvert. Totally shy, like my dad, who nudges their spouse (metaphoically and literally) to get out of the car and ask for the hotel prices and availablity on a long trip, or for directions when we are lost. Really! My spouse treats social occasions like an endless supply of fuel at a gas pump. For me, the fuel gets sucked out till I'm barely running on empty. So when "first contact" happened, with the lady I called Gazelle last month, I was so curious and intrigued that I couldn't help but come out of myself to say hi. After that day, I knew if I just kept saying hi, that would'nt cut it. So once I asked her name (wow, really outgoing there!!) in First Contact Part 2. Now what? Amazingly, over the past few weeks, if I saw her coming I'd crazily think of ducking the other way, or chat with an imaginary friend, or look at the intriging side-walk crack....
I knew I needed to throw away my shy-ness for the next step. Face my giants, (this time a tall, dark Dinka lady) my insecurities and the still small voice of "what the heck has come over you?". I know she is worth knowing, I suspect she shares my faith, and just stopping to chat longer is not going to cost me a whole lot. This morning was my chance. I decided to walk right down the street she walks up on, after she drops her kids at the daycare. It's a quiet street, and the air was sweet with fall smells and leaves. Here she came, and we stopped to chat (God heard a quick string of "give me courage" lines before I faced her). After our greetings, and some small talk, I told her I would love to hear her story. Her eyes went wide and then she smiled, "sure!" We sorted out a good time to meet, when she didn't have English classes. I'll take her to the Ellice cafe for tea...or coffee. And listen to her story, told in her voice. This is one time I'm glad I pushed myself to step out on that Ledge, and it held.
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