The Connection between Car-Free and Community

My car-free experiment of nigh on 3 years, throws all kinds of chance encounters and random chats my way.

Like a lunchtime bus trip the other day. 🚌

Wedging my suitcase into the front seat the much older woman opposite asks,

“Away somewhere nice?”

“I’m off to the funeral of the oldest resident in my home town. 🙏 He was 102! A good friend of my father’s.

Turns out her own mother died a month ago at 96. She was still walking through fields right up until the end. It poured rain the day of her funeral. And the same for her cousin’s.

“You must be very raw at the loss of your mother.”

Nodding she continues… “I don’t want to say much but I lost two sons…

Adding “… Hard times.”

I nod back… “And there can be good times in the middle of the hard times.”

The bus fills. We each lean back.

Stepping down onto the pavement is a leap for her.

For me too, following with bags and baggage.

Just ahead, she turns back…

“I want to thank you for what you said.”

“What was that?”

“About good times in the middle of hard times… I’ll think on that.” 😊

I’m stunned.

We’ve no idea the difference chance chats can make to a complete stranger.

Like the jam in a sandwich 🥪 - delicious in their own right and essential to holding it all together - car-free conversations ARE the connection with community.