I did something tonight that I hadn’t done in a long time: I drove around aimlessly.
I went to my mother’s house to pick up some mail that had arrived for
me and then I decided to stop at Tastee-Freez for some ice cream. This
was around 8 o’clock in the evening, so the sun was setting behind some
huge clouds that were turning violet. It was such a quintessential
summer evening that I decided I didn’t want to go home. There was
nothing for me at home. TV and computer screens have me nauseated now
because it is all I’ve been looking at as of late.
I got into my car and drove, deftly switching gears while eating my ice
cream. I started down one road, and then took another road for a while
then turned on another road. I didn’t care where I was going. Both of
my windows were open, letting the summer air in. I took in several
large breaths of the slightly humid air. It was intoxicating, bringing
many summer memories up to the surface from the murky depths of my
memory.
As I drove past forest preserves, I smelled the trees, the leaves, and
the dirt. Memories of camping, hiking, lakes, mosquitoes, bug-spray all
bubbled to the surface. One thing I’ve noticed about memories is that
they’re usually not alone. Your brain has chained them all together,
sometimes logically, sometimes illogically. When the memories of summer
started coming, they didn’t stop for a while. It all brought me back to
simpler times. Chasing fireflies in the backyard. Wolfing down
watermelons, your hands and mouth sticky afterwards. Setting off bottle
rockets close to the 4th of July. Going boating at Cedar Lake. Spraying
my entire body with OFF! repellent because the bugs were so bad.
Watching the sky darken as I drove, it made me realize that my life had
gotten needlessly complicated. Why is it as we grow up, simplicity
begins to be something that we lose? I realize there are a lot of
responsibilities that come with being an adult; I get that. But is
there a way we can be adults and not have complex lives? Can you
imagine if an entire generation of adults took the time out of their
busy schedule to chase fireflies? If all the “grown up” issues were set
aside for an evening? I think more and more people are forgetting that
joy can be found in life no matter how old you are and it can be found
through slowing down, turning off the TV and the computer and going
outside. I really think God had this generation in mind when he said, “Be still and know that I am Lord.”
Just make sure you poke holes in the top of the lid otherwise your fireflies will die.
MattTheTroll says:
good stuff bro.
elfincracker says:
I always find time to connect with the innner child. It’s difficult times that we live in and often, when I think to much, I get so overwhelmed that I can’t get out of bed in the morning.
So what do I do, I remember that I am always someone’s little girl, both my earthly father’s and my heavenly father’s.
When life gets too tough, I remember, I’m always going to be a little kid to someone. I indulge my past, I watch my favorite films from when I was a child, I eat my favorite treats, I get silly and dance around my house listening to crazy music.
I was thinking about this stuff a lot yesterday too. It’s sad how people lose sight of this. I think about a lot of stuff…like if we just did this this way then this would happen.
There are so many things we could do in this country to lessen stress, etc, but it’s sad that in America all anyone really cares about is money and getting ahead.
I also think it’s sad that incredible people like yourself and I are stuck in limbo, working paycheck to paycheck, never able to really get ahead.
I’ll get off my soap box now.
~Aubs
WhiteLancer64 says:
driving around aimlessly is harder to do when gas is expensive :-p
grandma_b says:
But driving around is still cheaper than a therapist.
gerckenator says:
No, but that also really sucks. Why cant they just fade quietly away?
Boawesome says:
Hi dude:
I love reading your xanga. It sounds like come out so natual, and it sounds so familiar to me. Haha… if you have time please feel free to call me or e-mail me(708-289-8869). I am available sometimes. We can go out to drink, gambling, fighting(maybe), hit and run … We can do a lot of things excited. Haha… I love being a “bad boy”. I really missing being a “bad guy”, and seriouly, America is so boring sometimes. I miss the time in China, we could have fun. Haha… I hope you stay cool. Again, I think you are a great writer!!! You should write some books or maybe to be a journalist….
Take Care! God Bless!
Bo
sixfeetsmall7757 says:
Dude Matt-o… why don’t you update this more often? I always look forward to reading what’s on your heart…
By the way… thanks for the convo last night… it was a blessing to me. Stay in touch… I look forward to more late night conversations! 🙂 Tell Amanda I said hi! 🙂
sixfeetsmall7757 says:
Dude Matt-o… why don’t you update this more often? I always look forward to reading what’s on your heart…
By the way… thanks for the convo last night… it was a blessing to me. Stay in touch… I look forward to more late night conversations! 🙂 Tell Amanda I said hi! 🙂
sixfeetsmall7757 says:
Oh yeah… I just read your headline on the top of your xanga..
I think you should change that… It is a brand new start! 🙂
Okay… enough of me telling you what to do! Love and blessings… 🙂
sixfeetsmall7757 says:
Dude Matt-o… why don’t you update this more often? I always look forward to reading what’s on your heart…
By the way… thanks for the convo last night… it was a blessing to me. Stay in touch… I look forward to more late night conversations! 🙂 Tell Amanda I said hi! 🙂