30 people. 30 days. Day 18: SaGE

Sage wants you to know that she is “a ridiculously good listener.” And that she “will listen to anyone.” I must say, it’s not the quality one looks for when they set out to meet someone. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that this vibrant young woman is also a vivacious talker. And thankfully so.

I would learn that Sage is the oldest of six kids, and is the granddaughter of my neighbors. Believe it or not, I met her father about five or six years ago. Like him, she too has a gift of making you to be “a ridiculously good listener.” She is also a recent grad from Cornell.

Our meeting, however, was by accident. Literally. A man fleeing from another accident mis-managed the corner and slammed into a parked car, which just so happen to be propelled into Sage’s car. Having received her degree in Urban Planning, Sage was quick to point out the flaws in our corner. She is a ridiculously good listener, talker, and observer of everyday life.

When I asked her to tell me a story, Sage shared an incident that happened during her senior year. One that caused a riff between her and a fellow student and friend. The disagreement would end with neither one talking to the other.

But as the universe or the Divine intervention so often works, Sage would be seated next to this person on graduation day. It was not until they both stood to receive their diploma that something moved her to turn and wish him the best in life. He returned her kindness and thoughtfulness with a gigantic smile. What does that tell you about this person? Or about ourselves?

Sage is a ridiculously good listener. An equally ridiculously good talker. An astute observer of everyday. And a thoughtful, kind human being. Yes, it took a small collision to get us to meet. But it certainly was no accident. Like minded people eventually find one another.