Hit The Deck

 

You know, when people go through the “Kamikaze meets the little ship in the ocean” moment and all hands go flying into the water (what I liken to the breaking up of a relationship), I expect they all go through some fairly common emotions. It’s funny how I spent a period of over a year treading water in the midst of the stormiest of seas before I actually grabbed onto that piece of driftwood out there in the ocean, floating mere inches from me. It was calling me to grab onto it, ensuring my eventual return to shore, but something compelled me to keep paddling around, just knowing that shark was circling around waiting to dine on some tasty, middle-aged, white meat if I didn’t pay attention. When I did grab that lifesaver, it was because I was ready to push toward land again. And, I didn’t even have to struggle to shore on my own, this little tug boat of people met me halfway. Cool.

 

Someone told me today that the smile I had on my face when referring to something very positive going on in my life was like something unseen by them on this particular kisser in over two years. That’s how I feel. Like smiling. A lot. Like hugging the kids. Even though they don’t want to because they think I’m weird for doing it. Like riding my bike. The one that spent the last two years in a shed. Like being funny and goofy again. Like lovin’ my dog. Even though she is a major goof. Like singing the songs playing in my head. Even though Emily threatened to cover my mouth with duct tape if I kept on. Any number of factors have contributed, but ultimately, it was me, making that decision to grab that forlorn piece of driftwood.

 

Nothing Can Bring You Happiness But Yourself

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Published on: Jun 2, 2006