Undestanding

The last time was I down in Westcliffe was 42 years ago.
Then my father threw me out of the family for refusing to marry his choice of bride for me!
I was "too stupid" for him to tolerate any longer..
Of course, a few years later, he threw his wife away but too but, I would not have imposed on her down there!
But she had been a good mother, so I kept her!
But tried to never impose.

In the years when I did go done there, we played games endlessly!
She and her first husband had built their house there in 1957.
Her sister built hers next door.
And so did most of her husband's coworkers!

They all were big time bridge players.
A game which makes no sense to me what so ever!
So, geeky computer nerd turned loose in the midst of a group of nuclear scientist types!

Now there was one young lady close to my age in the group down there.
And we laughed, played, sang random songs.
She was very much my doppelgänger, or muse, if such is the correct word here.
I missed her when she went off to fame and fortune.
I on the other hand .... oh, well.

And now 42 years later, here she is again.
Standoffish, cool, detached.
Well, that was taken as a challenge!
Down with all walls!

By evenings end, she was back to her crazy 20-something year old self!
It was great to see her back!
I think it stunned her husband!

But the next day was one of great moroseness for her.
So, I did what I swore I would never do again - I discerned her problem.
(no, not going there!)
But now I understood where she was coming from and the basis for the unhappiness.
(sorry, not saying more)

So, I got her into a Beatles greatest hits sing along.
And she perked up.
What a voice that woman has!

In the end, I understand her far more than ever before.
And by way of her, our culture at large.
As she is a victim of what is seen as fame and fortune.
All the gratifications of life!
And yet, unhappy, unfulfilled and about to reach the point of seeking life's answers.

I am hoping she will talk with me at some point.
But I am in prayer for God to reach out to her via an older female she can trust and respect.
It would be nice for her to make peace with God.

Well time for a nap!
If only I had a plate of maple bars to precede that nap .....