I met Sharleen several days ago, by divine appointment, I think, on the Appalachian Trail, as she was hiking through Shenandoah. We ended up being able to spend some significant time together, talking about books, poems, art, music, beauty, truth, depression, tragedy, God, and love.
Don't get the wrong idea about this: it isn't that. It just so happened that we met and were able to connect, and especially that she was in a place that she could use someone to be kind and honorable toward her, which is exactly the thing that I like best to do. Sharleen is a lovely, intelligent, sensitive, warm, and good-hearted person, who deserves much better than life seems to have given her so far. One of the things I hate most about this current world order is how it treats lovely young women. Being a beautiful woman in this world is like being a steak in the zoo, and there's nothing I like better than when I have the opportunity to "do good to someone who is not accustomed to have it done to them" as Tolstoy put it, particularly in this way.
And I also have to admit that it is quite wonderful to feel love, trust, respect, admiration, and affection in return, rather than the things that I've been feeling. I, also, was very much in need of someone to be kind to me. She compared me to Jean Valjean, which is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Valjean is exactly the kind of man I aspire to be.
It just so happens as well that she is planning on hiking the Camino de Santiago next year. So we're going to try and meet up for that, and she's also invited me to come and visit her in Italy, which I'm quite looking forward to.
Again, don't get the wrong impression here. I have come to love my new friend, but as a little sister.
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