Where's Mark?

It was a rough weekend so I decided to go on an evening run last night around 7 pm. I needed to clear the cobwebs and get a jumpstart on the week. I wanted to be as productive as possible for a Sunday. Better planned than done… After a 3-hour procrastination session, I put on my headphones, started a podcast, and began jogging towards the Grand Canal. I decided to run West along the water just far enough to break a sweat and then I would turn around and head home. Not my usual route because I wanted something different; just a little more stimulating. I started listening to the most recent David Chowe episode of The Joe Rogan Experience as a very light and refreshing mist fell across my face. The beautiful yet dirty canal to my right, cars whizzing by me on the road to my left, and couples walking along taking in the last of the freedom from the weekend. I let the endorphins flood my brain and my thoughts began to wander.

I got to Harold’s Cross bridge and decided that this was far enough for that day before turning around. I crossed over and walked for only a moment before I noticed a whiteboard adorning a tree next to a tent where belongings were strewn about the grass next to a tent near the bridge. Scrawled across the whiteboard was a crude drawing of what looked like a cottage somewhere, I imagined, in the Irish countryside and ‘I wish’ written above it. Underneath on the whiteboard, it read something to the tune of, “I have no money but am willing to part with this drawing for a fishing rod.” I stopped, thinking for a minute about this request because I am someone who enjoys fishing very much and has attempted to fish the canal for the elusive pike that I’ve heard so much about. I stepped off of the footpath towards the tent half deciding what I wanted to do. I hesitated and thought it best to leave the tenant alone for now. I switched my podcast back on and started running East down the canal back home.

The whole way home I thought about my fishing pole at home and whether or not I would be willing to give it to a stranger as a kind gesture. But alas, the fishing pole I had wasn’t mine to give away. I was only holding onto it longterm for a friend. So, when I got home after my run I looked for a cheap pole online that might be easy to transport for a modern-day vagabond. I was about to click purchase but like so many decisions before I would wait another day. I planned to walk by the next day to see if anyone had fulfilled the request. I also thought that a good trade for a new fishing pole might be to have an interview with the stranger to begin my long put off podcast of meeting and interviewing interesting people. Off I went to sleep with a loose plan in place for the morning and some inspiration.

I woke well-rested and ready to run to the gym. The stranger’s tent was on the way. Off I went with the same routine and the second half of my podcast ready to go. It was an overcast morning that was starting to brighten up. I ran down along the canal to the bridge and crossed before turning to find a new note scribbled on the whiteboard that read,

“To all who knew me thank you for your support, and friendship, I am humbled. Mark”

I didn’t understand at first and looked to my right to see the tent and all of the stranger’s belongings gone except for 3 chairs backed up against the wall. Then I began to wonder. Was this a goodbye for good type of note? Was the stranger I now knew to be Mark, maybe, dead? A weird feeling came over me and I saw an older woman also reading the sign with a concerned look on her face. Maybe she knew him. I looked once more where his tent was, now an oval patch of dead grass, and decided to turn around and continue running. Maybe I was overthinking it. Or maybe not.

I didn’t know this man but I did feel for him. He could have been a terrible person or he could’ve been an absolutely wonderful soul. I don’t think I will ever know because I never got to speak to him. I don’t know if I ever will. I regret not calling to him when he may have been sitting in his tent the day before. Just to get a glimpse into his life and maybe learn a few things. I’ve noticed these days that people are more apprehensive to speak to each other, stranger or not. Given the current circumstances, it’s difficult but definitely still possible to reach out. But, I saw this trend happening well before this pandemic, with myself included. Seeing that sign today was a reminder to me that everyone is worth having a chat with and I am going to try to speak up more instead of asking ‘what if?’ after the fact. If I am overthinking all of this then I do hope Mark’s wish was realised and that he is sitting safe and sound in his countryside cottage.