The sun sets on another day…
I will warn you about this post in advance. I am just writing it but I feel it will be long, heartfelt, and full of emotion. It may or may not be as my writing will be my guide, but it is what I feel right now, so be warned.
I drove the black car to the beach tonight. As I drove I was not going fast or slow, which will come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. I came to a bend and there was a truck that turned in front of me and flew off into the distance. I looked down and I was barely over the speed limit, so it did not matter. I was not slowed down, and then I was, as he began to slow more and more, until we were a full 10 mph below the speed limit. I was in no particular hurry, so I waited, and kept my distance. Moments later 4 deer ran out in front of him, he slowed more. I revved my engine once and the deer scattered, and we continued forward. There was not rhyme nor reason to his speed, he sped up and slowed down and I simply waited to get to the beach to take a picture. finally, he (or she) turned off and I was alone on the road, minutes later I broke the bend to the beach, and what you see is what waited for me.
I was at once overcome and overjoyed at the sight. It was not a brilliant sunset, nor was it dark and diminished. I guess in the words of Goldilocks, it was just right, so I watched, and took out my camera, and took pictures. I did not take many, I just took enough. My friend and I take pictures in different styles. He takes one or two, or three even, and gets great shots. I take dozens or more of different angles, and moments, hoping to get several that may be good, or even a little more when examined later. No matter. The twilight gave me a picture, so I continued to drive. Turning around in the park I saw another car, the couple inside seemed to be having an argument. As I passed the woman looked up, and through tear encrusted eyes smiled a tentative smile. I was not sure why I even deserved a glance or if she could see me in the very dark windows.
I shifted, and both me and my car were soon gone. As I drove I thought about all the people and what they were experiencing. All the people I know, and have known, the thoughts and dreams they had, the things they shared with me, and the things they didn’t, and I became both happy and sad, forlorn and thoughtful, and in those few moments this post was driven to my brain as if by a giant spike in a ripe cantaloupe. The message simple, you are not alone.
Now I wont say this is going to be some strange close encounters post, it is just a statement that we all share a lot of common things, and one of those is the depths of our emotions. Good or bad, happy or sad, we all know how these feel. So what? Here is what. Somewhere out there beneath a star filled sky, there is someone feeling similar to you. No, not like in the song, but like really. They have felt the elation of a child graduating, the sorrow of a lost parent, the fiery indignation of being angry, the pangs of being down, and much much more. Someone is feeling that same emotion in all the people of the world, and you are not alone.
So why does this matter?
Too often people think they are alone, and in their deep despair they feel alone, unwanted, or unappreciated. For all of you reading, you are never alone. There is someone right now feeling the same, and as they do, no matter what you are feeling, know there is a certain comfort in knowing someone else is feeling it. I know, it doesn’t really feel like it sometimes. It is hard not sharing something great with someone else, or having a shoulder to cry on when you need it. I know this first hand.
A long time ago I wrote a poem I will not bore you with, it was in the middle 70s. I was a bit overwhelmed by none other than a girl. (gasp) The poem states a lot like this but the end line was simply, “Reach out your hand, I will be there.” that poem was locked in my head as well as I considered the night breeze on the way home, and as I smiled for a moment, I pressed down the gas, I rocketed home even faster. Perhaps that is all we need to say to each other “Reach out your hand and I will be there”. Perhaps we need to truly deal with that little slice inside ourselves, and reach out our hand, and someone be there.
Perhaps, maybe, I think so at least.
So as the sun sets on another day, how are you? Are you feeling on top of the world or is the world on top of you. If you ar eon top of the world don’t forget to lean back and look for those behind. If the world is on top of you, reach out your hand, and well, you know the rest. However you feel be a guiding light to others when you can, and be that person who will reach out their hand when not. In the end, it is all up to you, and no one else. Reach out your hand, and be there, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love to the moon and back, and never stop loving…