Canvassing, Door-To-Door
Last Saturday, the 7th, I thought that morning while having some coffee when I woke up around 6a. I told myself: your artwork isn't moving too well on the marketplace here on the platform. I finally know the cost of actual shipping charges of what Facebook offers, but it's double the price I know, and I have to protect my artwork with insurance, but this post isn't about that; that will come in another post. **
So last Saturday, not this Saturday that just passed but before. Anyway, I should do some old-school canvassing, door-to-door here where I live, Somewhere Under The Stars, 😂. Being how my lungs are, O² 24/7, I have a portable tank, so; I started getting my portfolio together; to set out on a four-block radius for me to canvass.
I'm venturing now, and I'm stoked to do this; I canvassed around ten houses already. I take a small break, thinking to myself, I sure hope a cop doesn't stop me and ask me what I'm doing?
**(I took the break because even though I'm on oxygen, O² still falls to the lower 80s - upper - 70s range!)*
** "Confessions" 🙈 Or, what if these people I'm canvassing call the cops and tell them a man is going around selling stuff door-to-door because I didn't have any permit to solicit in the community or particulars therein. *A jailable offense here! Exemptions only for spiritual, Christian purposes.*
However, I felt that they wouldn't be around; let's do this! So, I did four more howes, and then I saw this older woman up on her porch, and stopped there at her sidewalk, and said: excuse me, m" am, may I have a moment of our time.
She said as she turned and looked: Oh my, does this bring back some memories of when I was young. I said, I'm sorry m' am; I don't understand!? She said; well, come on up here and have a seat, she paused and said, no, we'll go inside. Would you like some coffee, brisk outside a bit. I said sure I'd have some coffee; why not!?
We went in, and she had a charming home, and it felt so peaceful the moment I walked inside. I went to take my shows off; no need to take your shoes off, young man; you're a guest. Because I saw her take hers off, and I'm being courteous, respectively, taking my shoes off anyway, and she said, aren't you a darling? I snickered; it's proper m' am, manners.
We sat, and she began to explain her comment when I stopped at the end of her sidewalk by the street yet; and asked for some of her time? She goes; when I was growing up, my dad and my grandfather were both artists, and I recognize the portfolio you have with you, so I knew you had something to do with art or you as an artist. I'm amazed how you knew, ironically!
No judgments, child, she said, this pandemic has put our world in a crisis!? I agree! Well, she served me coffee, and she said; I baked some fresh cookies and just took them out of the oven; I began to say no, and she goes, shh, I insist, the holidays and all. I said, well, yes, m' am, I haven't a choice here then, and chuckled as did she. I told her; my favorite cookie at this time of year, freshly baked chocolate chip. I got two BFFs that know this first hand, too! ( smiling here )
But she asked; may I hug you, young man; I am a hugger, and I believe you need a hug?! She goes my grandchildren love my hugs, and I can't hug them enough. Adorable 🥰. Awkwardly sufficient at first, but yet it wasn't; it was a connection from her memories, as the aura was so soothing here in her home, so we hugged one another. 🥰
We were going over my artwork; I have a lot more than I've posted here! So, we talked about each picture, why I gave each image a commentary, how and why I gave the name I had chosen, things like this as we looked; she loved my artwork. But we talked of other subjects as well, as we were going over my portfolio.
She asked about my life: I told her my roots, I told her about my family tragedy, how I plummeted down the rabbit's hole and landed in the abyss facing demons and the cesspools of drugs. "When the decision I made; not wanting to or couldn't keep living on that way, anymore."
Asking God for His help coming home this time, I couldn't do it without him!
How I gave up at this point that dreadful day: before making my decision and passing away, ending up on life support and lost 68% O² to my brain, body. Coming back to join into life again: and that's when I decided when my spirit returned, and the day I went off a machine that kept a shell of an unspirited body, alive.
She told me her age, 82, she is a great grandmother and has 18 great-grandchildren, and I said better you than me, I couldn't imagine having all them great-grandchildren. That's a lot, yikes.
She picked the choices she wanted, which are pictured below. But she said, and she insisted I take her offer, which gave me natural relief inside of accomplishment and that I'm on the right pathway coming back into life from the abysses and of the drugs; that I fell prey upon! I am running from a tragedy instead of facing the fears it brought to me and the mental anguish I suffer from, placing myself in self-convictions.
'"Her name was Gladys, a lovely black woman, mother, grandmother, a great-grandmother, charming, very hospitable, and caring, a loving human being. However, she insisted I take the offer three times the amount I had quoted her. She hands cash to me, she said, and I'm shaking a bit cause I felt it was too much."'
She says; William, you sold yourself short, I think, I know you're worth more than your listing prices, cause my grand-daddy and my father used to tell us children this growing up, and I felt you deserve it for your accomplishment. You're a very talented man with your artwork and your beautiful writing. This is a blessing, and it's coming from my grandfather and father, being artists themselves. It melted my heart, ❤, as a single tear weld up in the corner of my eye, with a sigh of relief.
"I know my artworks worth, my worth, and I know what I want as far as my artistry goes, my writing, and so does God, but very grateful I am for this blessing, from a remarkable woman."
* "Me talking to God: I just thought it was too much money Lord, but I understand now why you gave me the push to do this canvassing! God's reply: my child, you asked for my help, so my angels are placed to help you along on your road home.**
I was at Gladys home just short of 3½ hrs. Last Saturday, the 7th. It was an exceptional, memorable experience, one I will cherish for the days of mine left here. And I know she'll see this, but she wants no publicity! Haha, smile, Ms. Gladys. However long that is! Thank you, and God Bless you 100xfold all your days! ❤ 🕊 💯
I asked her if I could take her picture, and she said I didn't need one, and she's right because she embedded herself with the footprints she left in my heart; I always will remember this woman, Gladys, our roads and beings were meant to meet, and I thank God for placing her there, too! So I asked her if I could at least use her first name, and she chuckled so hard I thought she might fall or pee herself, haha, but she said yes because she knew I was writing this story.
But the last thing she said before I walked down her steps was, William, write as if no one was watching. So I told Ms. Gladys, ironic you said that; because I've written that very phrase in one of my poems, I'm almost sure of it. But, boy, now I will have to read about the last twenty poems to make sure, so I am not telling any mistruths here. I'd be embarrassed 😳 !
Have a Great Day, Everyone!
Best of Wishes,
William Darnell Sr
Credits: Swagger Art Studios' & Poetry
a Division of;
"Writer's, Writing Word's:' being characters"
W.W.W.b.c is a place of writing. Created mostly for my own benefit, nothing to gain anywhere, unless I go eCommerce, (I'm toying that thoug
