It’s lunch. It’s a small informal gathering. Light conversation.
Discussion turns to summer vacations. And rolls around the table clockwise. One is going to the Far East with family. Another to the Cape. A third to Montreal.
The must see art exibits. The lazy days at the beach. Late afternoon cappucinos at the outdoor cafes on the cobblestone streets. Evenings spent people watching from the hotel veranda. The concerts on the grass.
I feign a glance at my watch and look right. I can sense the uneasiness. She’s shifting uncomfortably. Rubbing her hands. Her forehead is glistening. (Dr. Cal Lighman, Lie to Me, flashes up.)
It’s her turn. Everyone’s eyes shift and wait. An uncomfortable silence. A pause in the discussion of the world tours. There’s a surge in my chest.
I know. I look at her. She now knows I know.
I break the silence. I cut in line. I share my most memorable summers were times at the beach near home, building sand castles with Rachel and Eric. Chasing minnows with plastic pails and butterfly nets. I go on for a minute or two. And then I stop.
My oversized underdog rally hat is full on. Come on girl. Flap your wings. Whether it’s on Delta or in your Mind, it makes no difference. FLY.
She looks at me. And she lights up. She shares her plans for her journey in July. Long early morning runs in the park at sunrise. Being immersed in a page turner in her cool basement during steamy afternoons…followed by deep, deep dreamless naps. Weekend visits with Grandma at the Home. And she continues…
I feel myself making a fist under the table.
You go girl.
You go.
Image Source: Hungarian Soul
She flew because you gave her the wind to get her wings flapping. Way to go.
She did. Thanks Mimi
This is awesome. Great little piece of writing, so much meaning and emotion wrapped up in so few words!
Thank you!
You’re a good man, Charlie Brown. (And a damn fine writer, too…)
Smiling. Thank you Lori
The cup of your compassion overflows. You go, David, you go!
Thank you Carolann
I’ve been the one to shore others up and I’ve been the vacationless individual. I will most likely find myself in this scenario today at a girls’ luncheon. I’ll be the one not hanging out at the club pool or taking vacations across the country. It will be all right. So much more exists to make me happy. I felt this one. Thanks David.
Thank you Brenda. Yes. So much more does exist to make me happy too…
Beautiful. I agree with the others…your compassion is beautiful and your writing is awesome!
Thank you Vicki
Rally cap on for you, too, David. Thanks for helping this woman make space.
🙂 Thanks Susan
David, your sensitivity and clarity in what seems to be all situations is astonishing. I would be that girl, the one without the world tour vacation, ever. But you know and she knows, deep inside, that the best of times are the ones with the slower pace, where our souls can rest and be at peace, filled with long days and love for family. Good for you, for inspiring her to speak of such loveliness. Wonderful writing, once again.
Love your comment. My feelings exactly.
🙂
Yes Carol. I’m squarely with you. Thank you.
Well done. You had me hanging onto every word right to the end.
I wanted to add that at first when I saw the photo, I thought, “Ahhhh, perfect. Oops! No! There are three chairs. Too bad they have to take the toddler with them.” (The little chair would be for him.) And then I saw the blessed wine bottle in the little chair. Whew!
🙂 Smiling. Thank you Anneli
Well written David and well played. We have vacationed on Cape Cod for 30 years and now we live there. We bought a small condo last year. I wonder if we will ever take a vacation again. We are both retired and have enough money but just. We almost never went anywhere else over the years and now we explore this blessed place close up. People tell us of Europe or Asia the islands etc. We’ll go see family and “vacation” wherever they are. Vacation — such a strange word. We vacate our normal place to go someplace else. The Brits say Holiday — I like that but its wrong too. Traveling? That’s more accurate in many cases…. I like hearing about vacations and the travels of friends.(Don’t like the hint of my vacation was grander than yours tho) Maybe we will take a vacation at some point. But then I wonder why.
Thank you Frank. I could, like you, settle in to my cozy spot with my book (or Kindle) and my iPad and be quite content. Yes, traveling can be inordinately stressful.
I traveled extensively for work over the years – UK, Australia, Morocco, one end of the States to the other. Probably why I’m content to sit still ( That and how delightful it is here ;^) )
Hmmmmm, now that makes sense.
I agree with the others, you are a good man!
🙂 Thank you Tina.
O-o-o, where is my Rum punch! Makes me want to kick off my shoes and run for the sparkling blue water. SPLASH!
Yes. Would love to do that too!
Wow. That’s me too, with the sick feeling in my stomach, the wondering why I feel such a failure with the wistfulness of wishing that was me, hanging out in Europe’s stunningly medieval cities or Latin America’s exotic and lively spaces- and you made the space and yes, isn’t that what we all should be doing, listening to each other, the said and the unsaid, with deep attentive caring, and making space.. And thank you so much for reminding us that caring about and for and with each other is what counts.
Thank you Makere. I’ve had that same sick feeling (many times)
Very nice writing. You made room at the table for all of us. A very human moment for our times. Thanks for sharing.
– Michael
Thank you Michael.