Went for a walk over lunch the other day in the industrial park near our office. 

Note to self — take more walks over lunch. 

Figured I’d go 15 minutes out and double-back. 

I followed the concrete sidewalk as far as the giant fenced cell tower behind one of the Mitsubishi buildings. 

In the 20 years I’ve worked here, I’ve never gone farther than the big tower.

Was about to turn around … just as a person happened to be coming the other way, earbuds in.

“Excuse me,” I said. 

Asked him where the rest of the trail goes.

“If you keep going straight through the woods, it comes to a park.”

Said he believed there might be a left and a right, too, but he’d never done those. 

His response made me curious enough to break my routine and keep going.

Two minutes later I found myself under a fairy-tale-worthy canopy of trees … when I happened upon this.

The plastic bag’s what got me to stop. 

And smile autonomically. 

I can’t remember if I actually said, “Awww,” or … just felt it.

My heart immediately filled thinking of the tender deliberateness of whoever thought to take the photo.

And get it printed so small … at the perfect size to invite a closer look.

Then framed. 

And come back … to give the world passing by … a reason to stop … and autonomically smile.

I wondered at what point the thoughtfulness occurred to put it in a plastic bag … to give it a chance against the elements.

Wondered if they brought the pup when they placed it.

Wondered if they said anything.

I wondered if they knew how much it might mean to a stranger out for a walk over lunch … to be reminded that such gentle souls exist in this world. 

I just stood there for a few minutes … and danced with a million questions I will never know the answer to.

If the photographer knew Kyle. 

Family maybe? 

Kyle’s dog? 

They go for walks here? 

Or maybe it was a stranger who just noticed the bench and thought Kyle’s memory might want some company.

Considering the possibility that there might be such people in the world was enough for me.

Faith, hope and love … all wrapped up in a tiny plastic bag left loose on a bench.  

I wished on the spot for it to remain there forever. 

Though I knew it was just as likely that it might be gone by my next walk.

I’ll let you know.

Just in case … I wanted to wrap it all up … to protect it from the elements … and leave it here for you to stumble upon and smile … and wonder while the world passes.