The Buddha on the Path

Remember The Buddha in the Attic?

Our book club, The Lucky Thirteen, read it years ago. Japanese women in California over a forty year span, starting in the 1920's. I think.

What I remember was the breath-takingly beautiful writing. The women's thoughts interwoven with the storyline. Coming to America with hope, then reality hits. Who retains that hope. Wow. 

Hope, dreams, wishes. Full of promise. 
How to not be discouraged?
Hold someone's hand. 
But I digress. 

Well, yesterday I was walking on a grassy footpath from Golspie towards Brora. 

Just at the bridge crossing the racously babbling brook shooting down from Ben Bhraggie. 

Along the North Sea. 

I was about 2 miles north of Golspie. 

A woman about our age coming the other way. We stopped to chat. 

Walkers always do.

She could tell I was from the US.

:)

Pleasant chatting about oystercatchers, clouds, free range beef, Orkney fudge cheesecake. 

She said, I don't want you to leave Scotland without a gift. 

Reached into her knapsack, pulled out something wrapped in blue tissue paper. 

Handed it to me, said to open it when I land home. 

Off she walked towards Golspie. Turned and called out, enjoy God's creation!

Of course I couldnt wait. 

A petite carved Buddha. 

Definitely stone. 

I placed him in my jacket pocket. Walked on towards Brora.

How did I feel?

I felt connected to the world. Does that sound weird?

A small simple gesture. 

A random, small gift. 

I share this Buddha with my dear Lucky Thirteen. 

Fellow adventurers on the path.