A man we used to see comes back.

Return of a stranger.
Every morning at 5:40AM my wife and I go out into our foyer for our first cup of coffee.
We will go out again later for our second cup, and to watch the world come to life. Cars start to go by, the sun rises, and a dapper business gentleman walks by. We think he is on the way to the bus stop.
Few people walk so much because it is the sensible healthy thing to do. Perhaps he is one of those, or perhaps he has overcome adversity. He has an aura of confidence about him, we're sure he's OK.
After September 11th we don't see him anymore, ever.
September, October, November, December, January, February, most of March, not a sign of him.
My wife thinks he's gone. I get a glimmer of hope when I study the victim list and don't see a description that I think matches him from our area.
Then all of a sudden he walks by again.
My wife was just getting into the car when she looked up and saw him. She almost shouts "Good morning" and waves. He says "Good morning" back, and perhaps due to the enthusiasm he does a double take, looking at our house he sees me standing at the door in my bathrobe looking at him. I wave, and he waves back. He must be having thoughts about this strange friendly couple.
I look back at my wife and see her pointing at him. "Did you see that?"
I give her a big thumbs up. "Yes!"
It strikes me as a sad commentary that humans are so seldom thrilled just to see one another, but if we need an excuse to be happy watching a stranger walk by our house in the morning, we've got one.

John Bidwell