Don’t Let The Moment Pass

It was the last day of school, Humphries Elementary, sixth grade, Southeast Atlanta, the year? 1968!  And Cissy Shaw was going to know how I felt.  So, I decided, today was the day.

We miss opportunities don’t we?

We know we should say something…we feel we should do something, yet, we think not now…not today.

And the day and the moment pass.

Not going to see someone in their final days knowing it would make a difference.

Withholding an opportunity to touch, to smile, to feel.

Any simple expression of caring that goes unexpressed.

This moment in 1968 would not be lost.

Cissy Shaw was the crush of all the sixth grade boys at Humphries Elementary School.

Granted this was a long time ago given this is 2022, and that was 1968, so the facts may be a little fuzzy.

She was taller than all the boys, she could hit a softball further and harder than most of us could hit a baseball, she had a mean streak and could probably beat up most of the sixth grade boys if it came to it.

It never did and we were grateful.

And?!

And?!

She owned a monkey!!

And would bring her pet monkey to school from time to time.

For a sixth grade boy, she was a gift from heaven.

Plus, I knew my family would be moving over the summer and I would never see her again.

I planned my exit from Mrs. Rouse’s class, knowing Cissy was just outside in the hallway.

The plan was to call out her name, do what I had to do, and set a new speed record for exiting the building.

Keep in mind, this is the sixth grade.

I called out her name, she turned, looking at me with her red hair pulled up, her green eyes drawing me closer.

There was no going back.

In one motion, I stepped in front of her, gave her a very shy glance and planted a kiss on her cheek.

And without a word, or embrace, I turned and ran from the hallway and out of the building.

Literally ran.

A kiss on the cheek.

I could not let the moment pass.

Nor should you.

What encouraging words are you withholding knowing they should be shared?

What small random act of kindness are you considering in the moment, not wanting the moment to pass you by?

Whatever it is, and whoever it is, don’t let your expression of caring go unexpressed.