Scenes From My City
The Park
The day is glowing with a mild autumn smile. A young Caucasian mother, barely past her teen years is reading a well worn paperback romance while her two small children are methodically making the rounds through the various playground apparatuses. The boy wants to ride the rocking dinosaur, but his sister enjoys having something her brother wants so she refuses to yield her turn. After her brother tires of threatening, then begging, for a chance to sit on t-rex, he heads for the slide. His sister follows.
A car, well beyond it’s useful years, pulls into a parking spot. Creaking doors open and two other children, African American, spill out and race for the playground. Their mother slowly exits from the driver’s side of the vehicle and trudges behind. She finds an empty bench as her kids reach the slide.
A peculiar standoff develops when the two sets of kids discover each other. As each mother pretends not to watch, the kids size each other up. Maybe in a few years the outcome will not be worth writing about, but today these kids are just…kids. It doesn’t take them long before they are flying down the slide together, their laughing voices growing with excitement.
The girls pair off and skip away to the swing set. The boys strive off to conquer the closest tree. Eventually, the girls start to build a small castle in the sand. The boys amble their way back to the girls and join in. Working and chatting together, the group creates a magical kingdom, full of adventurous heroes and heroines. They are proud as they call their mothers over to see what they have made.
Slowly, each mother makes her way to stand and admire the piles of sand and offer their approval. The kids bask in their glory for a few seconds, then speed away to the merry-go-round. The two mothers start talking and their conversation guides them to a single park bench. Soon, they too are smiling and laughing as the crisp blue sky floats above.
Out of simple grains of sand, friendships were born.
The Ice Cream Parlor
She is dressed in a light blue, cotton dress accentuated by a gentle, white laced collar. He is wearing a dark blue Sunday suit; his faded black Fedora sits on the table. They both have deep silver hair and noble wrinkles that reflect a humble and enduring life. They sit next to each other, with him positioned nearest the aisle as if to protect her from the outside world.
He is having a plain vanilla cone, while his wife has a tutti-frutti Sunday. The woman is animated with graceful, fluttery movements. She is talking in the comfortable manner that only intimate friends know. Her husband remains still and listens quietly, adding an occasional nod of his head. He leans over and whispers something into the woman’s ear. She blushes, which causes the man to smile.
I wonder what it takes to make it through a lifetime with one mate. What is the secret to finding that one special person that keeps you smiling over something as simple as an ice cream rendezvous?
As I am leaving, the man once more leans toward the woman. He softly kisses her cheek.
Again, she blushes. Again, he smiles.
Take care.
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Beautiful…very, very beautiful.
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RYN: And when you stop reaching, what then? As Wayne Gretsky says “You miss 100% of the shots never taken” or something like that. Don’t ever stop reaching….you may end up with the sweetest jasmine.
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Your stories are very interesting. I enjoyed reading them. They made me stop to think for a moment. Thank You
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I think their happiness lies in their full acceptance of each other and the appreciation for each other that comes from not trying to mold and shape a partner into your pre-conceived notion of what they should be like. It comes from the appreciation of the differences and the joy found in experiencing life through another’s eyes. acceptance and appreciation..a good foundation 🙂
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Thanks for the note. I’ve asked my son about Tamagotchi and he wants newest one. I hope I can get it as soon as possible .
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=)
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this is a great scene. Thanks for noting! How the heck did I lose track of you?
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feels like i was there as well seeing the scenes!!!
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Hey! *waves* Thanks for leaving me that note so I could come here and read these gorgeously rich observations of yours. Welcome back!!
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I love your stories, too. Wish I knew how people hold it together (happily) over a lifetime. Too bad it isn’t something you can buy, lol…not that I could afford it, but still! Waiting for the planets to align in just the right way is sometimes hard.
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You have done it again. Two beautiful vignettes, perfectly captured. You know, I am learning a bit about how to see the world just from reading your stories. I think I will try to write a bit about the difference between looking and really seeing. You see MLM, while most of us just look.
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And to think he can still make her blush… do people blush any more? Leave it to children to bring adults together yeah. keep moonliteman you truely paint a beautiful word picture I wish I had your talent.
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Poignantly written. ryn~How did you happen upon my humble journal? The best man who gave a toast at my nephew’s wedding was so nervous, he had index cards. Poor kid. He did fine though.
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I can tell by the way you write that you like your women feminine, that’s nice. You should go to Europe and pick one out and bring her over here and marry her. People in Europe are so much nicer than in California. No attitudes either. xox Nice entry
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Interesting and sweet. RYN: Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I think regret is horrible. You can never take it back, nor can you ever recapture a moment. No amount of longing can ever bring those moments back. Sigh.
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RYN: Haha, a keyboard that writes what you mean to say, rather what you think to say… Interesting… Great ages for girls. Girls are wonderful… Mine are grown… And yes, I suppose I am a Virgo, although, I hear I have a hint of Libra. I am on the 21st and close to the switch. Whatever that means. 🙂
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You are so sweet M! Thanks so very much. Its funny but I’m fem and boyish, no white lace collars for me, I wear mostly black, however blue is coming in as second. I hardly ever wear dresses, I don’t feel comfy in them. Slacks and jeans are my thing with a cute or sexy shirt and a great jacket or sweater, and boots are my fave shoe to wear. What about you? xox
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You’re a good story-teller. will read more of you. Welcome to my diary 🙂
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wow.
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RYN: the noodle “glop” dish recipe is in this entry: http://www.opendiary.com/entryview.asp?authorcode=C100271&entry=20694
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These are very interesting observations, and they are well drawn. I don’t think many people look around them anymore, they’re too busy fiddling with electronic devices, and cell phones. ryn: Your kind note really encouraged me on a difficult morning. I want you to know I appreciate it. Thank you. : )
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RYN: Thanks for visiting. I am a transplant from MO, here for medical school so I have no understanding or investment in the rivalry. However, for the purposes of answering, I must be a cowboy due to the med school being an OSU program. Thank you for the the wildfire analogy. I like that… 😉
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Beautiful entry. This is the stuff I enjoying seeing to. Unfortunately, I am not able to be out and about enough to catch these moments. So thank you very very much for sharing.
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write write write write 🙂
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Nice writing. I really enjoy your entries. Thank you for your compassionate note. The words and sentiment are much appreciated.
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Wow, I loved reading these…..I think if we could all have the innocence and non-judgemental nature of children this world might be a better place. Thanks for stopping by my diary and for the nice comment!! Stop by again!!
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Thanks for stopping by. I like this entry. I’ll stop by again later…
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RYN: Thank you for your kind note. I’ve been assured everything will be fine. I enjoyed your addition to my latest entry. It was a very nice ending 🙂
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Actually, I’d like to add it to my entry. Would you mind? How shall I credit you? I don’t want to pass it off as mine. Or, it can remain a secret..
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Lovely scenes and lovely stories as well…it really depends on how one is going to appreciate things around…Keep enjoying everything out there…and you may make some more great discovery! *smiles*
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RYN: I so appreciate your kind words. After reflection, I would rather keep this between us. It is much more special that way. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Writing this reminded me of how much I miss living in Europe. Among other things, I had so many wonderful things available to see – the opera, the symphony, the museums. The best time of my life.
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You’re not only an observant people watcher, you are an eloquent and articulate writer. I envy your talent.
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Do you really notice these things? Or do you just write about stuff that we all know is out there and WISH me noticed?
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