mandy inchaustegui

In the townhome complex we are currently living in, there is a fascinating diversity of people. We have loved getting to build neighborly relationships with some of them. There are others, though, who very much keep to themselves and who we politely wave at in passing.

One of these neighbors is Sarah. She is probably in her 40s, single and works at the library down the street. She is often seen with a big floppy hat, walking her dog (who, true to classic stereotype, resembles it’s owner) and reading a book as she walks. I think I’ve gotten a smile out of her maybe 3 times in the past nine months we’ve lived here…even when we’ve said hi to her at the library while she’s working. Not exactly the most friendly person I’ve ever met.

So Xander and I were walking to our front door and passed by Sarah as she was walking out, hat on head and book in hand. We said hello and did not receive a response. After she was out of earshot, I whispered to Xander, “She doesn’t talk very much, does she?” He said, “You shouldn’t talk about people, Mom.” (Thank you, Xander. You are right.) I responded, “Maybe she’s just shy.” Xander looked at me with a sparkle in his eye. “She’s not shy, Mom. She’s a mystery.”

A mystery. Yes, Xander. People are a mystery.

Besides being completely convicted of my judgment of others, I was totally caught up in the beauty and excitement of looking at people as mysteries, with a sense of excitement. Xander didn’t see someone who was socially awkward or odd. He sees Sarah as a fascinating mystery – someone to get to know, as they choose to reveal themselves.

There is something beautiful, attractive and fascinating about the mysterious. How would my relating to people change if I saw them as mysteries, with a sense of awe and curiosity? I think I would like to follow the example of my six year old with this one.

Interestingly, we went to a “telescope night” at the library the same day that this conversation took place. Sarah was the one who was running it. We looked at Jupiter and the moon through some homemade telescopes. I talked a bit with Sarah as we observed my boys asking questions and exploring the mysteries of space. Sarah and I enjoyed watching them together, laughing and coming up with questions of our own to ask the owners of the telescopes.

I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about this mystery of a person. One thing I learned? She has a beautiful smile.