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Pondering a standard computer keyboard. There’s a large number of small square keys, a much smaller number of slightly larger keys, and one significantly large, elongated key located in the center of the bottom row. We know it. Really no need to mention the name, but I have to….not doing so would render the purpose of this post useless. So, here it is: the space bar.

Odd it is the largest key. Only explanation for the size I figure, is a functional use by our thickest digit….I guess…because I don’t really know the engineering behind the design.

I’m a philosophizer, not an engineer. So, when look at a keyboard, I see possibilities beyond asdfjkl..sem (for old school folk)..Simply stated, the space bar is more a metaphor than a mechanical device…in my letter-full mind, anyway.

At present, I am thumbing away on my Samsung 5. Less keys than an old, standard clickety typewriter in a smoke filled press room, but just as functional. With the addition of an emoji option, and the deletion of number and punctuation “pads” (unless I push the arrow to switch to another keyboard), all the standard bubbles and lines exist. I still can write unlimited numbers of words. Therein lies the premise of my post.

Unlimited numbers of words using all the small squares more often than the large one across the bottom – by my estimation an average of six-to-one. Six small squares, the large one, six small, large, six, one, six, space, on….and..on…..and….

Metaphor vs function. We spend so much time and energy on the small stuff – running our thumbs around the small squares. Forming small words. Trying to put together logical sentences….headed into paragraphical forms eventually becoming chapters in our lives. Yes, in order to do this “functionally”, we necessarily must brush the large bar every sixth stroke on average. It has that function: space.

I would argue a larger function: rest. That’s why it is the largest..because it represents the largest key player in our lives. Metaphorically, it is a reminder of the importance of rest. If we don’t stop every six letters or so in our lives, each moment becomes jammed together, non-readable, nonsensical,…nonlivable.

Let us all make an effort to tap the rest bar more often. Make the space functional, livable, and breathable.

Use your words – as we like to say to our kiddos – … use them functionally well. Be precise, disciplined, and clean across the small squares. Write the story of your life … but rest along the way.

QWERTY, ASDFJKL(sem), and all your small key friends will always be at-the-ready. No need to rush.

It is the largest for a reason.

Another day shopping for the same goods … the same Saturday prep for the same Sunday flea market business. Sunday business I am so thankful- after thirteen years – earned in a field off Charger Highway in Newry, Pa.

Thanks to Walmart, I observe the same people, dazed, confused, (some) half-dressed in tightly fitted, inappropriate yoga pants, (most) wondering the same thing: “Why the hell am I here on a beautiful Satuday in September…parked 100 spaces away because of the call-in-reserve-orange-covered spaces and all the closely guarded occupied locations (spaces) heavily fortified by cars sitting in illegal lanes waiting for the apocalypse to remove said parked cars.

Anyway, I digress

Back to my observation. Inside, I noticed an older gentleman ahead of me as I walked through the snack aisle….NOT looking for snacks (although, oreos CAN be tempting) …just passing through on my way to buy Sriracha Sauce. Behind this gentle man was a slightly smaller lady- assumed to be his wife – pushing the cart. (No need to ask why SHE was pushing the cart – husband code requires such…insert sarcasm emoji here). Contents of the cart were minimal.

A series of curious, but predictable events unfolded before my eyes. Events reminiscent of my (much) earlier years as a pre-teen shopping with mom. Twinges of sadness, memories, and joy in a snack aisle are almost unheard of at Walmart. However, combine a fifty-ish year old man, an elderly couple shuffling along a food lane at Walmart, and wonderful memories of a loving mother, it’s a recipe for a good Saturday in September.

As I observed: Simply stated – as he reached for a snack on the shelf (probably knowing the answer), a silent glance back in her direction and a gentile, loving, unspoken “no” nod back communicated, to me, everything about their relationship. It happened only twice, but I suspect it’s been this way for a long time…which is why they are still side by side at Walmart…shopping together.

He shrugged his shoulders, looked at her, smiled slightly, a small twinkle from the corner of his eye probably found her heart … and they moved on.

Most if us have (or had) someone like this in our lives. I had mom. Only difference? She would have smiled and said, “Sure, put those Oreos in there … they make you happy. Enjoy!”

Things happen…like misspelled words. Intentional as they may be for dramatic effect, these happenings give us a glimpse into our humanity.

Catering a small event last night, I was sirprized to find out the pastor (who was my contact) is the brother of a fine akwaintence of mine.

On the flip side of positive, none of my good friends – who promised ahead – aktuwally showed up. Seems odd because the food was offered free of charge (compliments of the host church) …. my free-loading buddies would NEVER pass up that up!….oh, wait. They did. SMH.

So, it was two hours of fun, frolic, and neat convearcasion. A night I prefer. An evening full of little sirprizes. A night when perfection waz assumed unattainable and humanity, spelling, and good friends could be exposed as fallible.

Life is full of sirprizes. Ambrace them.