Today while at lunch, I saw a heartbroken little girl on the street, crying to her parents that she had "to go get it!" She was all teary, redfaced determination. I could tell by her parents' response that she had left something very important behind at one of their earlier stops and just now noticed it. I don't know if it was a pacifier or a blanket or a doll, but boy, she wanted it sooo bad, and her parents seemed quite sure it was lost to her forever.
This scene touched me so because, kiddo, I know how you feel. No feeling is as motivating, enduring and consuming as wanting what we don't have. And then there's the heartbreak of having to accept that we can't ever have it.
That poor little girl learned a tough lesson today. And as I get older and watch more dreams recede into the distance, I feel more, not less, like her.
These are the thoughts and observations of me — a woman of a certain age. (Oh, my, God, I'm 65!) I'm single. I'm successful enough (independent, self supporting). I live just outside Chicago, the best city in the world. I'm an aunt and a friend. I feel that voices like mine are rather underrepresented online or in print. So here I am. If my musings resonate with you, please visit my blog again sometime.
Not only accepting that we can't ever have it, but accepting that we've lost what we wanted and can't get it back.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet observation. I too, can relate. Nice post. See ya.
ReplyDeleteVery nice reflection...I think as we all age, these types of things sink in more!
ReplyDeleteLovely post! It is inspiring me to write a post about seeing a plush doll in the middle of an exit ramp from the highway the other day. I thought at the time, I'll bet whoever lost that is sad.
ReplyDeleteI forgot a purse one time at a Stake and Shake. I was just a kid, but my grandma and I sewed that purse together, it was my first purse. When we went back to retrieve it, we were told the manager took the purse home to her daughter. I never got it back, I'm still broken up about it!!
Unfortunately for us, we are now too old to have a crying fit in the middle of the sidewalk. With age comes stoicism in public and tears behind closed doors.
ReplyDeleteBut wouldn't it be kind of fun someday to just lose it like that? Get it all out there.....in my dreams.