this was, according to my parents, the first clue that I didn’t always agree with things posted.
while sitting around our dining table, eating all the leftovers that has forever been a family tradition, they reminded me of my first adventure.
I was barely 9 years-old, and no one can remember what actually set me off, but the fact that I was set off was something – things never seemed to bother me.
but this time stayed in my room for a good 2 hours.
there were sounds, but no cause for alarm, as it was only me and my G.I. Joe’s.
for a few minutes, it was quiet.
and then Mom, who was in Ashley’s room, saw a dark-haired head poke around the corner.
‘I’m going now’, I announced, waiting for any sort of reaction.
there was none.
I mean, after all, how far can a 9 year-old get in the middle of the Oklahoma country?
on my back was a schoolbag, that wouldn’t have held more than a few changes of clothes.
and behind me, a Radio Flyer wagon, carrying every action figure and tank and ‘real operating wings!’ jet I could fit.
I walked out of the house, proclaiming once more my departure.
but for reaction, all I got were looks.
they were neither amused, nor angry – curious, I suppose,
and you can’t blame them.
up the driveway,
out onto the road that rarely saw a stranger
and down, down, down the road that would, in a mile, show any signs of use.
from their window, a guesstimate of 5 times I stopped, checked my Joe’s, then turned around to look.
no one came, and I kept going.
finally out of sight, my Mother came to get me.
I wasn’t crying, she might have been a little bit.
‘where were you going to go?’
I refused to answer.
but instead had something to ask myself.
‘did you see me?’
apparently she did.
and perhaps, after more than a year traveling,
that same mindset resonates.
the Taj never changed my life, and if you ask me about it, I’ve got not much to tell.
but will forever let you know that ‘I’m going now’
in hopes you find that,
at least a tad,
interesting.
It certainly is. Interesting.