Khalil

Joshua Michael French
He was late. I sat waiting on the bench, wondering when this date would start. “Are you here?” I texted. He replied, “Yes, right in front of the fountain. Are you here yet?” “Umm, yes, and you couldn’t be in front of the fountain, as that is exactly where I am.” He called, “How are you in front of the… Ohhhh, I’m on the wrong side. I’ll be there in a sec.” Around the corner bounded this wild-haired, bespectacled bear of a man in his signature peacoat, wrapped in a bright, red scarf. Yep, that has to be him. His profile was such an enigma. Which picture was truly Joshua Michael French? Hard to say as each represented part of a multi-spectrum personality too big for the world around him, but not for me. If there was another person matched for this big Bear, it was me. I would learn this man was made for me in every sense of the word, but not just yet. He needed to see me on the bench waiting. His eyes searched and caught mine as a giant smile cracked across his face in acknowledged admiration. He was pleased that I was exactly what my profile showed. No smokescreens, no pretends. I was real, and he was not only relieved but excited. I found the idea of dishonesty online to be confusing. At some point, they would see you. They would see YOU. Of course, I know now that there are things even in real time done to disguise your true self, but I have always been regarded as blatant, even too honest. Whatever. It prevented me from having to work so hard at being false. My profile showed me, my kids, and my work, un-doctored and unfiltered, and Joshua Michael French was hooked. I should state for the record that I knew something was coming. Right before meeting my Bear, I started seeing dragonflies. I had never actually seen a dragonfly in real life, but after the second or third, I checked to see if there was a meaning attached. Not only was there a meaning, but they, the dragonflies, would mark major changes from this moment in time and henceforth. I first noticed them flying around my car in town. Then, I nearly stepped on one on the mat leading into the house. I found another on the back porch and a couple more flying around my car in the middle of the freeway traffic. They symbolize transformation, change, and rebirth. I was being notified that things were about to shake up, and my insides were excited to see what that change would look like.