About six months ago my mom talked about her annual trip to New Jersey with her girlfriends. She explained how there was a spot opened because Deanna (our neighbor) had the watch her grandchildren the week before labor day. Six months ago I was feeling a bit lost and kind of unhappy. So I quickly processed the possibility of coming on a week vacation to Long Beach Island... A place I knew well every summer from the age of 0 to about 17. With slight hesitation I offered to usurp the available twin bed. I would be sharing a room with my mom's more rambunctious friend who I quite like. Keep in mind I am the youngest of four boys and therefore my mom is approaching seventy years old. I secretly hoped that a "better offer" would come along in the months to follow.
And here I am in New Jersey. As it turns out... No better offer ever came nor could it have been possible because I am so glad I came. This is the better offer. I'm glad I offered to come and based on my moms reaction the moment I volunteered... It was the right decision.
I've been so relaxed since I got here Monday. I was walking on the beach today. The icecream truck stops at all the entrances along the beach and the icecream man walks to the beach and shakes a bell to signify his entrance. Has everyone experienced this joy? I remember how happy it would make me, hearing those bells, as a kid. The thought of Santa brought a similar happiness. I guess the best way to describe the feeling I'm talking about is "magic".
As I walked along the beach on what could easily be described as the most beautiful, weather wise, in history... I started to reminisce on the magic I've experienced in my life... Santa and reindeer on the roof, man hunt ( AS IN HIDE AND GO SEEK) on summer nights with my neighborhood, Roma Nova Pizza on half days of school, sleep overs, second families, comics, Legos, note passing and finding out a girl (haha) liked me back...
Nowadays there is still a lot of greatness in my life but I don't know if it's as magical as it once was.
As a human being, are things supposed to retain their magic? Or are we pushed to find greater levels of magic? Because I know I have found treasures beyond pricing in certain relationships, my family, my nephews and nieces, my friends... But it's a different kind of magic that exists between two people than the kind that exists in a young person soley excited to hear the bells of the appearance of the icecream man.
And I think I'll always search for that kind of happiness. The kind that only a child could appreciate.
Until then I have music, day dreaming, food, wine, and good company to "settle" for. And I'm still grateful.
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