currently

The right wiper sequels each half second as the noisy vehicle drives down a wet road on a mid june afternoon. A turn to the right and a warm breeze comes from outside the window to my face. Many memories sit next to me in this rugged machine. Fulfilled screams, playful smiles, romantic kisses, each event grins back with yet another turn. Late childhood looks a young man directly in the eye, welcoming this new friend into the driver’s seat. Times have changed, people have changed, and even the four wheels have changed. All that has remained is an artifact of my childhood… but driving the Jeep once more brings a spirit of freedom and excitement long forgotten.

My younger brother Patrick left for army basic training yesterday, beginning the empting of the family nest. The moment was awkward and solemn, with Pat walking away without exactly saying goodbye, but with a light and cheerful ‘see ya’ as if returning within a ten minute period. For the first time I saw my parents stand together as one, looking down the long hall with tearful rings around their eyes. A beautiful sight.

It appears that Jennifer was a good young woman and went to bed early, which is something that she should be doing more often. Yesterday we went to dairy queen, and I insisted in walking on in, while she kept urging to quickly stroll around the drive thru. At the moment I thought nothing at it, but later looking back shocked in irony. Jennifer preaches up and down how she is a country girl, and how moving to an urban area would be unbearable for her, yet begs to rush for an ice cream cone. I on the other hand would love the city lifestyle yet always follows a laid back approach, as making dairy queen not a treat but a event. Maybe it all makes perfect sense, but for the moment it does not.

I fell good, in no way great, in no way bland, yet for the moment being nineteen works.

finally