We may look at the world around us,but somehow we manage not to see it until whatever it is we've become accustomed to suddenly disappears.Take,for instance,the girl I used to see--or look at--on my way back home from school when I was in high school.
Most of the time after evening classes,I went home on a bicycle.On the way I always saw her,sometimes riding in front of me,sometimes behind.She had long hair and was always riding with a green backpack.
Of course,I remembered all this only after she vanished.It was then I realized how much I counted on seeing her every day.
So I learned that a significant part of our daily life consists of such encounters with familiar strangers:The twin brothers you see at school,the aunt selling battercakes by the road every morning,the uncle repairing bicycles near the school...
Such people are important markers in the landscape of our lives.They add weight to our sense of place and belonging.
Sometimes,I wonder,am I a familiar stranger to someone?
Perhaps a student at the school supermarket sees me there every morning without really noting my presence.Or maybe someone at the computer bar where I used to go to would notice if I stopped showing up.
These days I usually have a walk with mom after supper.And each time on our way we will see an old man walking a cute dog by the road.We didn't talk until one day mom said hello to him.That day,we talked about the dog's name,age and something about pets.So after that day,we gave a warm smile to him each time we saw him,and simultaneously,received one.
The friendliness makes me feel warm and excited.And that is what familiar strangers give us.