I Suck At The Mall

An interesting thing happened at the mall today. Unfortunately, I suck at the mall.

Today, I ran into an old friend of mine from high school. Her name: Julie... or as we used to call her... Julie Barbados. We used to call her that because her last name sounded like the island country. Goodness gracious Barbados.

I hardly ever run into people from the past. It just so happens that today, Julie brought her kids to the play area at the mall when my kids were there. And really, my kids wouldn't even normally be there were it not for my parents who have this special "mall" bond with them.

My parents enjoy taking them to the play area whenever they can. One of the things that I have learned through the passing of my son (Braden) is that life is too short. Cherish the time that is available. So if my parents want to spend time with my daughters (and by default... me since my parents don't know how to install car seats into their own car) by going to the mall on my day off in inclement weather... so be it. It makes them happy.

Anyway, while I happened to be at the mall, Julie arrived with her kids and one of her friends and her friend's kids. I didn't get to say more than a simple greeting since she was with someone else, but it was nice seeing her again. And at least she didn't do the "nod". So that's always a plus.

And interestingly enough, for someone who hardly runs into people from the past, I may have also recognized someone who I knew from a previous employer... also at the play area at the mall with her kids. Maybe the play area at the mall is a vortex of mystical energy... a Hellmouth if you will. It was quite peculiar to recognize two people from my past in one day.

To be honest, I did not acknowledge that coworker from the past. I really wouldn't know what to say. After all, there's a back story involving that coworker who may or may not have had a crush on me at one time. I'm a guy, so I'm clueless at times... although when she straddled my chair while I was sitting in it could have been a good indicator.

Regardless, it was quite a peculiar day at the Hellmouth.