When Harry Met Sally ... ended differently.
"I hate you Harry. I really hate you. No I mean it Harry. I can't go back. I can't and I won't. Goodbye Harry."
Sally turns her back to Harry and walks away. Harry stands there and almost insultingly .. smiles the slightest of smiles, takes a deep breath, slides his hands into his pockets, turns away from where Sally stood, and briskly leaves the party, and Sally behind.
Walking out the doors of the hotel, and walking into his new life, Harry stopped zipped up his coat, gazed up at the starry night and took his first step into his new life.
But before the 2nd step could follow, a voice called out to him and a touch on his arm caused Harry to awaken from his daze.
"Excuse me. I am sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear what you said or tried to say to her, up there", as a tall almost plain-looking, yet ... real ... woman motioned with a turn of her head to the balcony of the hotel that they both just left. She quickly wiped a tear from her eye as her head turned away and back towards Harry, if just for a second.
"I know that this is an intrusion, but you must be heartbroken. I just wanted you to know that all I have ever wanted in life is someone to accept me for who I am. And you have given me hope. I'm sorry. This is so rude of me. I wanted you to know that. I am sorry for intruding. I just ... just ... felt that I needed to take a chance that you would listen and that you would understand and that .... <as her voice trailed off into memories> I am SO sorry and embarrassed that I have intruded in your life. I need to get back to the party."
"Why?" Harry inquired.
They turned and started walking, together. Away from these lives and perhaps towards new ones.
When we take chances in life, they don't always work out as we think we would like them to. In fact, many times it is the act of taking a chance that shifts the fabric of chance and fate into opportunities. That is why Harry smiled. He took the chance and for that he would never doubt he did the right thing.
Love is it's own kind of journey - and when I focus on the journey, and not the outcome, I am infinitely happier. Love happens when it is supposed to, not when it is manipulated, intimidated, or cajoled. And sometimes the most loving thing you can do for another person and yourself is to leave them better than you found them. However, I still believe in my heart of hearts that love that is built on a solid friendship first where the seeds of trust are planted. It make take years before those seeds turn into romantic love, and in the cases where it has happened, I have seen depth, vulnerability and a rock solid foundation from which to lean upon in times of uncertainty and challenges. Enjoy the journey Joe, wherever it leads.
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