Muffin Sightings

Are you familiar with the theory that people are like muffins? The theory goes that there are a finite amount of combinations of ingredients so you are bound to encounter someone who reminds you of an entirely different someone, but who shares so many qualities (or flavors?) that you almost mistake this new someone for the other someone; those two similar someones are the same kind of muffin!

With that in mind, I've had my first muffin sightings this week. (Stephen reminds me of folks, but wasn't a muffin sighting.)

The first two happened together. I was working the box office for a one-man show at Dublin Dental Hospital. (The play was brilliant, by the way. The playwright was there and sent me home with a copy of the script and I will visit him and his theater company when I visit Derry.)

The playwright reminded me of my preceptor Paul from UC Santa Cruz. Same wonderful smile and laugh. Really generous with his energy. He tested the waters when I first walked into the lobby, but became easy going as soon as he felt confident I was on the ball and could keep things running smoothly.

The second was the actor in the show who reminded of my friend John from Santa Cruz/San Francisco. Both men have a smoothness, suaveness about them when they're comfortable, confident, and having a casual conversation. And it's so easy and enjoyable to be around that energy, that willingness to interact and seemingly not worry about how he's being perceived. And both are artists with keen abilities to articulate themselves (John is a writer and the other is an actor, obviously).

And the combination, while being a somewhat improbable combination, worked and it made me want to introduce the California muffins.

The other muffin sighting wasn't really a muffin sighting. Much like Stephen, it was more an awareness of a combination of qualities that set me at ease, reminding me of those who are dear to me. This happened in a conversation with Noel after the show the other night as we walked down the block to catch taxis home. He mentioned during the show that night about how if it weren't for the love of his mother and a few of his mates, he would've offed himself, but that they helped him ignore the crap around him and keep going. And he talked about dancing for her and making her laugh and about what a wonderful woman she was and what a wonderful relationship they had. And it made me think of my uncle Phil (my Special Person, by the way) and stories he's told me about entertaining his mom and making her laugh. I told Noel about Phil and we continued to talk about life and family and finding people who are worth your time, your energy, your life.

The best thing about these Muffin Sightings and quasi-muffin moments, is that I feel like there is a pleasant melding of worlds, as if the muffins I'm remembering are here with me as I meet this new muffin. And I know with certainty: this person is special and worth spending a little time with because they remind me of this other amazing person.