Awkward~ fitting in...

Akward at first, at the homecoming football game. Not my hometown. My children are home educated. We live in an associated district. I sat by myself.



Sitting by myself was my choice. I had driven my son, so he could see the game and meet up with some pals; it was also a lovely autumn evening- and the view from the stands is panoramic, overlooking a beautiful, large lake at sunset; complete with full-moon rising! And, I enjoy a marching band and fireworks, both of which were promised at half-time. The game, well- it was sadly expected 'our team' would be trounced; a prediction which held true.



I sat at the top of the stands- mostly because there you have a railing against which to rest your back- and at my age and condition, is definitely something to be sought out and treasured. We were early, and there were plenty of seats anyway.



Next to me were the steep cement stairs- the main stairs, in fact, as it was directly positioned next to an entrance. This produced a steady flow of people throughout the evening- which proved to be a blessing.



At first, sitting by myself- I felt a bit out of place, as I watched many groups of adults, children, youth; at the least you may see a few groups or two people, an occaisional loaner would appear- but would not be so for long, as they found their family member or friend with whom to sit, chat, or walk-about. I thought I must look quite odd to them, just sitting there by myself (of course being that I had brought knitting along to do as I waited for the game to begin, probably only added to my oddity).



But, after a bit, I began to be secretly pleased that I was by myself. As time had gone on, and given my seated position- I was finding that I was given the privilege of greeting and meeting quite a number of people. Albeit none chose to sit with me, or visit with any length- there was still a goodly amount of community chit-chat nonetheless. The most pleasing aspect came to me that, in fact, as the evening wore on- I had enjoyed visiting with many more, and a greater variety of, people than would I have if I had come with the intention of 'sitting with someone'.



A hidden blessing of being one who doesn't really 'fit the mold' socially, is that you have the privilege and opportunity to enjoy the tapestry of people to an even greater degree, say than someone who tends to stick around others of similar thread to a large degree. Those of us who others might view as socially awkward- not fitting any particular group; we get to experience even more colors and patterns and textures of the tapestry of people.



We may not fit 'in', but we can fit 'around'. :-)