Back on the Tube platform I looked around and observed parallel lines, I don't know where it started but I noticed that everywhere I looked there were objects that had parallel lines. I then thought on and noticed, to a lesser extent that circles are also another feature that is readily observed. Of course these things to not occur in nature, or at least not commonly. I switched from this to noting the curves of nature all around me, the trees, people's hands, arms, legs and heads as they read their kindles, iPads and fired their text messages off to loved and not so loved ones.
On the Tube it was as busy as usual and as I stood there, this time not reading my own kindle, I watched over the shoulder of this girl who was writing a personal email to her partner about how they had argued and that maybe it was not good if they were together. You could tell she was thinking through what she was writing but she was not angry or upset, she seemed to be quite at ease with what she was writing. I wondered if she was the one in control and making the break or whether it was an olive branch that she was offering. I never did find out and I thought it was not wise to inquire.
As I was making the trip I managed to get a seat, as I did so someone to my left gave up their seat for an elderly gentleman. Unusually, we struck up a conversation, it is not common to talk to others on the Tube. In fact most do their best to avoid eye contact, only the innocent and very friendly people tend to form momentary bonds of recognition at any given moment. And so the bond was formed, this particular gentleman was a veteran from the Second World War, he was attached to the 6th Airborne Division, which dropped into Normandy on the 6th June 1944. I asked him about this and he said that he had not joined at that point but that he did take part in Operation Market Garden in September 1944. I did make a mental note that the 1st Airborne Division was the one that jumped into Arnhem but I was not one to challenge the recollection of this man. Instead we discussed his service. He told me of his father who had survived combat in World War One with two near death experiences. He survived a third when his home was hit by a doodlebug in the Second World War, his wife was buried in the house,but managed to survive. I said how lucky he was to have gotten through the period with such things happening. I told him of my recent visit to Kasterlee Commonwealth War Cemetery, where mainly Scottish troops were buried having been part of Operation Market Garden. I pointed out that most had died on the 16th September 1944 and that it was the same day of the month as my birthday. I then told him that I was still serving.
He was on his way to see the poppies at the Tower of London, he was making a brave pilgrimage to see this special tribute to the fallen. I say brave, because he was quite frail at 88 and he also had difficulty seeing. He kept asking if it was time to get off the train and he thought that I was due to get off after him. His stop was four on from my own and I reassured him that there would be plenty of people who would assist him if he were to ask. I was sorely tempted to go the extra distance and escort him, I do regret not doing so. We parted, richer for having spent the time chatting and wishing each other a pleasant day. Humanity does exist on the Tube, people do help when pushchairs need lifting and will help a stranger in need. The brightness you bring by taking the time to assist or expressing a friendly salutation goes some way to restoring faith in human nature and always raises a smile and a thank you.
On the Tube it was as busy as usual and as I stood there, this time not reading my own kindle, I watched over the shoulder of this girl who was writing a personal email to her partner about how they had argued and that maybe it was not good if they were together. You could tell she was thinking through what she was writing but she was not angry or upset, she seemed to be quite at ease with what she was writing. I wondered if she was the one in control and making the break or whether it was an olive branch that she was offering. I never did find out and I thought it was not wise to inquire.
As I was making the trip I managed to get a seat, as I did so someone to my left gave up their seat for an elderly gentleman. Unusually, we struck up a conversation, it is not common to talk to others on the Tube. In fact most do their best to avoid eye contact, only the innocent and very friendly people tend to form momentary bonds of recognition at any given moment. And so the bond was formed, this particular gentleman was a veteran from the Second World War, he was attached to the 6th Airborne Division, which dropped into Normandy on the 6th June 1944. I asked him about this and he said that he had not joined at that point but that he did take part in Operation Market Garden in September 1944. I did make a mental note that the 1st Airborne Division was the one that jumped into Arnhem but I was not one to challenge the recollection of this man. Instead we discussed his service. He told me of his father who had survived combat in World War One with two near death experiences. He survived a third when his home was hit by a doodlebug in the Second World War, his wife was buried in the house,but managed to survive. I said how lucky he was to have gotten through the period with such things happening. I told him of my recent visit to Kasterlee Commonwealth War Cemetery, where mainly Scottish troops were buried having been part of Operation Market Garden. I pointed out that most had died on the 16th September 1944 and that it was the same day of the month as my birthday. I then told him that I was still serving.
He was on his way to see the poppies at the Tower of London, he was making a brave pilgrimage to see this special tribute to the fallen. I say brave, because he was quite frail at 88 and he also had difficulty seeing. He kept asking if it was time to get off the train and he thought that I was due to get off after him. His stop was four on from my own and I reassured him that there would be plenty of people who would assist him if he were to ask. I was sorely tempted to go the extra distance and escort him, I do regret not doing so. We parted, richer for having spent the time chatting and wishing each other a pleasant day. Humanity does exist on the Tube, people do help when pushchairs need lifting and will help a stranger in need. The brightness you bring by taking the time to assist or expressing a friendly salutation goes some way to restoring faith in human nature and always raises a smile and a thank you.
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