Kishaywatishiw

kishaywatishiw meaning “tender-hearted”

“I love meeting new people, it’s good for the heart.”

This is a story about a person I only spent about 30 minutes with but she impacted me greatly and I made this piece to reflect her and our time together. I titled it, “kishaywatishiw” meaning “tender-hearted” in Michif.

I’m not a morning person. I don’t like to see people I know on the bus. It sounds rude but my commute is my time. I’m focused, I rarely notice people, I’m barely awake, and I’m just trying to get to work. But every now and then I can be coaxed out of my shell.

On a cold day in April 2019, I was at my bus stop waiting for the number 18 that drops me off just two blocks from work. The one I usually catch came early so of course, I missed it. I usually have my earbuds in before I leave my condo but, on that day, I was in such a rush that I forgot to put them in. I like them to block out the noise and focus on my thoughts. I was cold, flustered, distracted, and quite frankly, a bit irritated as I stood there waiting for the next bus, staring down the traffic flying by.

A woman to my left popped her head into my peripheral, "is the bus late?" 

I smiled and replied, “no actually, I think the last one was early.”

She nodded and took a few steps away from me. A moment later she turned around, extended her hand, introduced herself, and asked, “what’s your name?” 

Taken aback by her kindness and curiosity I mumbled my name and shook her hand. Without letting go she stuck her right ear towards me and asked again, not understanding my marble mouth. I replied, “Brittany.” 

She smiled and repeated it back to me in an attempt to remember it. She wondered where I was headed and guessed, “school?” I tell her I’m on my way to work. 

I began to settle into this warm, unexpected, and easy conversation. I asked where she’s headed, “I’m going to see my boys, my three sons,” she shared beaming. “But more importantly, how do I look?”

I took in her sassy pompadour at the top of her head that cascaded into two long black braids and she had just a sprinkling of white hair that accentuated her almond skin. I couldn’t see her eyes that were hiding behind big black sunglasses, but I imagined them to be two deep brown pools. The corners of my mouth turned up as I admired her shimmery light pink lips that framed a glowing smile and I told her that she looked beautiful. Seemingly taken aback by my words her hand jumped to her chin. 

“Thank you,” she said as the next words got caught in her throat, she eventually jimmied them loose. “I don’t really hear that very often.”

I frowned.

“I have these scars and it’s hard to talk about.” She was still choked up but briefly removed her sunglasses, showing me I was right about the dark eyes. She told me a little bit about the scar and all I could think about was how strong she was.

She quickly turned the conversation back to her boys. She went on to tell me that she actually had six kids, three boys, and three girls. I noticed the bus was only about four blocks away when she pulled out her phone. Beaming she showed me a big group shot of her surrounded by her six children. I looked at her and her smiling happy family on the tiny smartphone screen and then I looked at her in front of me and I watched her admiring the photo and her babies, her love and pride were palpable.

As the bus pulled up, she was laughing and telling me how she got her tubes tied, no more kids for her! My heart sank a bit as I stepped onto the bus not really wanting the conversation to end. I scanned my pass and walked to the back where there were more seats in hopes that she’d follow. She did.

She sat down opposite me crossed her legs and put her elbow up leaning on the back of the seat beside her almost knocking the head of the person sitting in it. I chuckle internally happy she’s taking up her space.

She went on to tell me more about her kids, one of whom she lovingly called "Little Bear”. Little Bear likes to play games with her as a distraction to stay up later, but it doesn’t work on mom. Her youngest daughter loves to swim, "she’s like a mermaid” she said to me and giggled. 

As our conversation came to a close she said to me across the aisle, “I love meeting new people, it’s good for the heart.”

She pulled the cord to signal her stop, stood to get off the bus, and looked at me through those dark glasses, and said, “it was really nice to meet you.” I replied, “it was wonderful to meet you too. I hope you have a great day.” She paused and said, “right back at you sister!” And let out a wholesome laugh as she headed for the door.

I smiled as I looked down into my lap but when I looked back up I saw my new friend walking by the window with a big peace sign in the air. I held up my two fingers in response and we both laughed.

I saw her again in passing once as I was walking home from work. I’m sure she wouldn’t recognize me so I smiled at the ground as I passed by. I often think about her when I’m at my bus stop and the impression she left on this little heart of mine.

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As I reflect on 2020 I recognize it as a time to strengthen bonds with those closest to you physically and a time to appreciate the bonds you have with those farther away. Above all, I’m reflecting on the importance of human interaction and how we relate to one another even as strangers on a bus.