I watched the whole performance from a tiny table by the window. We’d done our business at the bank and now we each had big piece of chocolate layer cake, thick with icing. It was yellow cake. I don’t know how they got it yellow but they did and the yellow was beautiful against the warm brown frosting. We loved that chocolate cake. This was a good day, a really good day, and I knew what was coming next. My father stared for a long while out the window, at what, I don’t know, but I waited, waited for his famous phrase, sure it would come, and when his reverie broke and he returned to the bakery and our little table, he smiled at me, then looked down at his cake, and there it was, sure as rain.
“This is living,” he said, “huh, Charlie boy?”
~ Charles D’Ambrosio, This is Living. Loitering: New and Collected Essays
Notes: TT* = Throwback Thursday. Image: Add a Pinch
Indeed…indeed.
indeed it is
Isn’t it incredible how soothing certain phrases uttered by those dear to us can become–a liturgy of sorts…
That’s exactly how I felt when reading these words. Soothing. And love the word “liturgy” – had to look it up – that’s so good in capturing the feel of these words. Thanks so much for sharing Lori.
i love it. all of it. i’ve had my family and kids in my class tell me that i often utter, ‘this is the best day ever!’ i’m happy they hear and remember that.
Smiling. I love the “this is the best day ever!” So good.
That looks delicious! One of the many little things that makes life so scrumptious.
No far, I am stuck in an office already craving chocolate and now you show me that…. I am going to sulk until someone brings me chocolate!
Laughing. I’m Sorry!
With friends like you ;0)
I was going to say what Mimi said. As usual, she said it first and better. Well done. Well done.
Thank you. It is beautifully written.
More proof that the little things in life are the biggest of all.
Yes. I fully agree.
I want a bite of that tempting cake. ;( and the title, “This is Living” is even more 😉
Laughing. Me too!
do some living, david, boy – it’s good for you.
Workin’ it Vicki, workin’ it.