Anonymous friendship is taking place in Berkeley and Oakland, California where Mingwei Samuel and Darrel Owens have built and installed 16 wooden benches at bus stops where no benches were present. This anonymous act of friendship has provided a place to sit while waiting for a bus. Undoubtably, Samuel and Owens have made countless unknown friends who now have a place to rest while waiting for a bus. The benches are crafted out of wood, stained, and installed by bolting them to the sidewalk by the two men. Although the city of Berkeley has objected to the installment of the benches. It has only removed one bench.
This project has caused me to think about acts of anonymous friendship I might preform. I am not a carpenter who could help to build more benches with Samuel and Owens, but I can smile and say hello to strangers as I walk along the sidewalk in my neighborhood. I could take a few of my many books and put them in the book boxes I see along streets where I live. Try to think of something you can do anonymously to spread friendship.
Welcome, FRIENDS, let’s sit and chat while waiting for the bus !
