He said, " Thank goodness NOTHING lasts forever." He said it just like that and with no warning as we sat on the bench. I became irritated at his demeanor and body language as he spewed this out between a bite of falafel and sipping water. "Why, that is absurd," I commented, "things do last forever and what exactly do you mean?" I was reminiscing about my attachment to things, people and situations. Mentioning my difficulty with change and stating that I seek similar, consistency and predictable as a way of life. He looked at me and kept eating seeming to pay no attention to my irritability and jabbering on and on about my desire of seeking the perfect life. His calmness reminded me screaming was an option, which I wanted to do, however refrained. He ate and I continued to talk about life, this and that. I mentioned how I was challenged with a student. And just like a door swinging wide open, slamming shut and pinching my fingers, with his arms raised high, he shouted, "THERE, THAT'S IT, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, SEE!!!! THANK GOODNESS NOTHING LASTS FOREVER!!!!" I chose pain, it hurt! Then I made another choice, thanked him for his sage message and finished lunch while he watched the birds. As we were walking away he said, "Life is funny." My fingers still ached.
