The People You Meet

Tonight I took all 5 bless-ed kids to the Golden Arches for dinner. Not my choice of restaurant but sometimes it comes down to convenience!

As we walked back to our car (our car is lovingly known as the Mother Ship) a beautiful big dog came romping up to us. I shielded the girls as the dog was nearly as big as them and I'm always cautious around dogs (a whole other story for another time). The owner called the dog back and apologised stating it was dinner time for the dog. I smiled and comment on what a beautiful dog it was.

I looked at the owner, trying not to stare as I took in his missing arm and his artificial leg. I was bundling the kids into the car when Jenson asked the question, but not the question I was expecting!

'Is he the the train guy Mum?' Jenson asked, 'You know the guy off the TV ad about crossing the tracks safely?'

I admitted I didn't know and as I closed the door of the car I decided to ask the guy.

'Are you the train safety guy? I asked him and he looked puzzled.'Off the TV ads about crossing the railroad safely? Your arm and leg? My kids were asking me.'

'No, I'm the guy who was bitten by a shark,'he replied.

'Sydney Harbour?' I asked and he nodded yes, 'Thought so.'

The shark bite guy was watching me as I shut the door of the car and I walked over to him.

'I had a client back in '93 who's husband was eaten by a shark on their honeymoon up at Byron Bay,' I told him,'I can see by the surfboard on your car roof that it hasn't stopped you going in the water.'

'Hasn't stopped me. Surf, snorkel, scuba dive, swim. I still go in the water.'

'I've never been one for the water,'I smiled at him and said goodbye.

I drove off thinking WoW I meet the guy who was bitten by a shark in Sydney Harbour. What an interesting story he must have to tell!

Then I realised everyone has a story to tell. It isn't always that obvious to everyone else!

Geez, wish I could meet him again as I now have a zillion questions for him!

Cathryn