Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I couldn't sleep

And I was laying in bed with the image of me (like I was there to see me...?) at 10 years old, full of the happiness of summer, standing at the top of our aluminum slide, poised and wiggling my happy fanny, getting ready to slip down into the wading pool full of grassy water stuck in my head.

Because I love to recall traumatic moments, obviously, like having the back seam of your homemade suit rip out so that what you don't realize at that very triumphant on-top moment, is that the 10 kids behind you are actually getting a pretty good view of your sideways smile back there. And laughing. So you go from being on top, right back to the bottom.

There's proably some life lesson to be learned there. And I'm probably going to go back to bed and have a really wierd dream.

5 comments:

ChefTom said...

I hope to hear the life lesson, maybe it is on humility, something to the effect of: when you are on top on the world flaunting your success in the faces of others you will find yourself humbled and exposed in front of mankind...

Becky said...

LOVE that story. Always have, always will. (sorry you couldn't sleep - having the same problem over here)

Unknown said...

So I did have a wierd dream; just not related to the trauma of my youth. Instead, it was me subconsciously trying to assuage the trauma of mother-guilt that my mother still carries about not attending my brother's HS graduation. There I was, (although arriving a few minutes late) camera in hand and ready to save the day for her. She and my dad had front row seats, and as the students marched in, I noticed that everyone else in his graduating class had on furry animal costumes. He was in a bright blue cap and gown, and I clicked away, capturing the memory of his accomplishment and the emotion of happiness on my parents' faces.
(ta-dah!)

ellen said...

When I can't sleep, I email friends. :)

LL said...

not all rollercoasters are fun!
and life is full of the up and down. Your story makes me LAUGH, but there is a good life lesson there.
"side ways smile" you kill me! I love it1