building, no more

Hebrews 13:5.

Seeing a ghost is the closest thing I can say to describe what I felt leaving the place. 

I got to work early one day and decided to walk around the downtown area before heading in. Many a fooding trip has lead me to a good chunk of the eateries on the block, but this time around I ventured into a strip of the downtown I haven't been to in years.

In doing so, I pass by a restaurant where I spent more than my fair share of weekends of my formative years. Countless hours were spent in this tiny place that my aunt used to work at on weekends. 

Fast forward to present day, the joint is as empty and abandoned as imaginable. Upon peering into the place through the front door I noticed the ceiling falling apart and debris scattered here and there. Looking further, I could see the pick-up window, the only recognizable remnant of years past. I also spied the stickers that most establishments post to gently remind folks of the legal drinking age. 1983. Meaning 2004 was the last time business was done there.

9 years. It appeared whatever business was there last, went under and never looked back. Another unsettling assumption is that no other business has tried or dared to do something with the place. The apparent disrepair and neglect was, however erroneous the assumption, enough proof for me. This sudden realization gave me chills. In turn, the vibe of desolation it gave off made me feel all kinds of bewildered.

Given a lot of business fail but, what happened? But more nagging, why? There might have been a simple explanation for the vacant building, but I think what was unsettling was that it was on such a busy part of town.

Riding on how overtly maudlin and maybe too much of stretch, it reminds me of how people are the same way. Once sprawling and full of life. Then it was met with a hardship.  Now it's empty on the inside and unable to bounce back. It's scary that folks end up like this, but a hard matter of the fact is, sometimes they do. The question now then is, how do we bounce back?

I pray that I'd be able to, however rough the waters.