I’m sitting on the train this morning, listening to my iPod, bopping my head, when I notice a six or seven-year old boy standing in the middle of the car. I recognize him, he’s a regular. He’s wearing a red shirt, shorts, standing next to a pole, leaning back and catching the pole just as it looks like he’s going to fall. Just entertaining himself, not showing off.

We make eye-contact and he half-waves to me with his right hand. I see that he recognizes me too and I try to remember if we’ve ever had any exchange other than a head-nod. I can’t remember but I tilt my head up and give him the Dude’s “what’s up” and then I look away. But when I look back I see the smile on his face. Couple of stops later we do it again. This time he’s more sure of his wave. Big eyes, nice smile.

Feels good to make a kid feel cool. Go figure that, old man.

[Photo Credit: BBC]