The Middle

For years, I've always had trouble with the "middle" of things.  I like new adventures.  New starts.  And in a way, I also like endings.  Things are wrapped up.  Not always nicely, but at least you know where to start.  Because without an ending, there would be no start.

It's the "middle" of things that become confusing.  Or boring.  Or stale.  The same thing.  Day after day.  Although, there is comfort in the "middle" - it's safe there.  You know what to expect.

My Granny left on Thursday.  We spent our last day in Oahu, at Pearl Harbor.  She had trouble believing she was actually there.  She remembers the day distinctly - not our day.  The day Pearl Harbor was bombed.  She was 12 years old.  She was looking for her lost kitty and when she got home everyone was very sad.

It was an emotional day (Thursday, as I'm sure it was years ago).  "Papo would have enjoyed seeing this", she said several times.

Then as we were getting off the boat from seeing the USS Arizona, well, I got to run and get the biggest hug in the world from a little boy.  Only, the little boy turned 25 today.  A little boy I met at a hospital 25 years ago today.  The beginning of his life.  During the "middle" of mine.  I baby-sat for his family all those years ago.  Then he joined us - a start.  Yet a middle.  He's now stationed in Oahu in the Army. 

We all went to Waikiki for some cocktails and food.

Two years ago when I ended up with a black-eye, I received a call from his father.  The message was:

Leasa, this is Tim Darter.  I understand you are not looking your prettiest at the moment.  I'm just calling to make sure you are okay.  Also, I need to know if Todd and I need to get in our truck and come to Denver to take care of anyone who is hurting you.  Please call me back.

You need to read the above portion very slowly, with a southern drawl.  That's how the message sounded.

Only he didn't know I was in Hawaii when the surfing accident happened.  But, he knew I was in the middle of something, and I might need help. 

So while at the end of Granny's visit, the middle of my life - in the middle of Todd's, the ending of one journey, another one will begin. 

Right here in the middle of the ocean. 

I'm thinking the middle might not be such a bad place to start.

 “There are no happy endings.
Endings are the saddest part,
So just give me a happy middle
And a very happy start.”
― Shel Silverstein, Every Thing on It