We arranged to meet today for lunch at IKEA.  It’s been months since our last time in the same room.  And it was an easy coming together.

A woman in her 30’s, a boy almost 3, a man 77.  No generational divide here.  I was proud of my ability to slobber soft ice cream on my face, matching Raphaël lick for lick.

I watched Julie’s love for her son.  It poured out of her … in words, in glances, in touches.  And the young boy soaked it in.  Oh so close to mom.

Julie and I talked about this and that.  Really the topics didn’t matter.  Our reunion did.  A quietness along with laughter, a melting as the words floated away.

I promised myself on the tram to IKEA that I would sing Julie a song.  I had the thought “But where will I do that in a busy store?”  No matter.  Our table in the cafeteria did nicely.  Oh … and the song was “It’s About Time” by John Denver.  Julie liked it.

After lunch we ventured into the bowels of the superstore, in search of a wooden rack for Julie’s husband Bart’s ceramic creations.  And we found it – a team effort.

At one point, when Raphaël and Julie were doing something else, I gazed up at the image on a wall …

I know the idea was to sell a table and chair set but the woman’s peace reminded me of mine.

***

The three of us

Ordinary and lovely

Blessed