Rosy Glow – James and Buddy

By

Andrew DeMarco

Some time ago when I was working in White Plains I commuted daily by car and pretty much took the same route every day. After a few months of this commute I noticed an older gentleman who would be walking his dog on the same route every morning. What really got my attention at that time was that he was with his companion in all types of weather, rain, sleet, snow, heat or the freezing cold he was out there walking his dog and always with a smile on his face.

After seeing this gentleman for about a year, one day I decided to pull over and talk to him, so I did. I introduced myself and told him how for about a year now I have seen him almost every day, that I was not a stalker but was curious that no matter what the weather he was always smiling and waving to everyone. He introduced himself as James and his dog was Buddy. He then explained that any day he was out walking with Buddy was a good day. It did not matter if it was hot or cold, rainy or fair, what mattered was he was up and about and out with Buddy. We finished our brief conversation and I went on my way.

This initial meeting got me thinking about the wonderful attitude that James had. His take on life was one that we all should have, basically enjoy each day. So from then on when I was on my way to work I kept an eye out for James and Buddy. My thinking was that no matter how I felt about going to work that day, saying good morning to James would improve my day and make my job fun.

Over the years I would stop when I could to chat with James and Buddy and when I could not, because I was in a hurry I would blow the horn and he would respond. I remember once when I got a new car and I blew the horn, James automatically waved, but had no idea that it was me. The next time I stopped to chat with him he realized I had a “new ride” and told me he would keep an eye out for me the next day.

James and Buddy would become “regulars” on my morning commute and when I did run into them they would truly get my day started on the right foot. When I had the time to stop James always would be leaning into the window and Buddy would have his front paws up also looking in to hear what James had to say. James always  had a story about things going on at home and  one thing or another and he always ended his story with a what I would call a rosy glow.  

There was about a month or so when I did not see James and Buddy and then one day I saw them on their usually route. I pulled over as usual and found out that James had had some health problems which side lined him for a time but he was better and back in to his usual routine, and the smile as always was on his face. I realized that during that stretch when I did not see them I was arriving at work in a different frame of mind. 

About 4 years ago I got a new job and no longer worked in White Plains, so I did not see James and Buddy regularly. I did see them from time to time and James still had that smile and spring in his step, but Buddy was slowing down and James was worried. Then the one day I saw James on his usually walk without his Buddy and I had to pull over immediately. The inevitable happened, Buddy passed away, but that did not slow James down. He said that what kept him young was his walk with Buddy and although Buddy was no longer with him, that would not stop him from his daily walk. Sure enough he is out there rain or shine, hot or cold with that old spring in his step, and as always that smile.

For a time he was considering getting another dog to replace Buddy, but after thinking about it for some time he realized that at his age it would not be practical and no dog could replace Buddy. He joked that now he would have to rely on his wife to keep him company on his walks but she refused to use the leash. 

I always look out for James and whenever I can I will always stop and chat with him. I think that had I not stopped that day a few years earlier, I would never have made a friend.  The wisdom of his years and stories were and still are a learning experience for me and just that smile and attitude about life always fills me with that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that ….Rosy Glow.