The Ironton Rail-Trail is a great walking path close to our house. It used to be the Ironton Railroad, but was converted to a trail for walkers and bike riders for all of us suburbanites in Whitehall. It feels good to get out there and walk every day.
So.
It’s Saturday afternoon. Laura and I go for a walk, occasionally scrunching over on the right side of the path to make room for folks passing in the other direction in order to keep our six feet of distance. We wave; say hi. It’s a beautiful day. The promise of spring and the hope of better things (no matter how far away they may seem) is in the air.
About a half mile into our walk we see messages drawn on the pavement in chalk:
And I think, pretty cool.
We walk a bit more. And the nice, uplifting, anonymous notes continue … there for anyone willing to look at them. Then we see an invitation:
So we do (making sure to pick up the chalk with Laura’s gloves). My first message is this one, inspired by my brother, Jonathan, who’s been posting songs to the family via text and on his Instagram:
(You should really do yourself a favor and follow Jonathan Beedle on Instagram.)
Then Laura adds this. She’s too cute.
Then I add this:
Our spirts lifted and our outlook brightened, we contemplate our next message when a crotchety man in an Ironton Rail-Trail vehicle pulls up to us and says, “Ya know … kids runnin’ around out here see this stuff and it gives ’em ideas to do graffiti all over the place.”
Thanks for bringing us down, Mr. Sunshine.
We regain our positive outlook and tell Grumpy McStinkpants that we think it’s great that somebody has taken the initiative to try and spread some cheer. His answer to this is, “Do ya think you can pick up that pile of chalk and throw it in the garbage?”
We say no.
We’re nearing the end of our first week of this. We are going to do our best to keep our social distancing social.
We are going to be happy, share love, cross our fingers that Jonathan has got more songs to sing, and phone some friends. And I think I’ve got more stories in me.
David and I will continue to bring positive news through words, deeds and chalk. Please join us in our quest for a world that is filled with joy. Also, if we are detained by the Ironton Rail Trail staff, please consider posting our bail.
That was just great. My most favorite thing was Mr. Grumpy McStinkpants. That should be in kids animated show.
I can’t make my comment have a larger size, I can barely see it myself!
Awesome!
David (and Laura),
Thank you for such a positive, up-lifting story. I almost turned into Mr. McStinkpants when I read that portion, I laughed hard out-loud.
I am with you both on the quest for a world that is filled with joy! Like my beloved cousin I am a taker so the Phone a Friend inspiration is well taken. I was gabbing with my best male friend Ron the other day (he and his husband are hunkered down in upstate NY) and I said that the best thing this time is good for us connecting with the people we love! I may also follow the Write A Story advice. Surprisingly I haven’t had much downtime in lockdown and been up to my ears with academic writing and a stinkpants amount of writing up process. I yearn to free my pen again!