Isn't it funny how you never know who you're sitting next to?
Think of your morning commute, or your seating at work or school. My mom has hammered this in to my head my whole life. That idea is pretty much the premise of this project.
Quick Story: I have lived my whole life in the same exact house. I was born here. And, as far back as I can remember, across the street from my house lived a woman named Ann. Ann was always an older woman - so I never really knew her age. She would come walking across the street every year around Christmas time to bring us Strufala balls - and I have memories of her taking me on walks as a kid with her grandchildren. Every summer you could find Ann sitting by herself on her front stoop - and as we would come and go- she'd blow us kisses from across the street.
Well, a few weeks ago - there were ambulances in front of Ann's house. I figured, she is older, so maybe she fell or something. I promised myself I would finally go over and visit her - I'd make her some cookies or bring her some pastries - and sit with her. Except, Ann passed away that day. I couldn't walk across the street and sit with her. And, that hit me like a bus.
The circumstance took me on a long train of thought. I never even knew Ann's last name. She was always "Ann Across the Street". I didn't know what happened to her husband. I don't know how long she lived in that house. I didn't even know how old she was. I wish I knew. I had gone my whole life, and never really gotten to know someone who lived steps from me.
So, here - under this "[Extra]Ordinary People Project" page - I will take the time to interview some people in my life (or maybe in your life) - and ask them some pivital questions, that will define them, their experiences - and proving the point that you just DON'T know. You don't know what people have been through in their lives - and it's so easy for all of us to get lost in our own lives, without ever getting to know people around us.
We all have a story to tell. An extraordinary one. I'm just going to shed a light on a few of them - and I hope it inspires you to take a minute in your own lives, to really get to know some people in your life, new and old.
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