Then I remember why we came.
The blue green waters of the Bahamas
are stunning. The powder white sand of the beach sucks my feet down to my
ankles. The sun blazes on the sea and the breeze is light. It is a picture
postcard day.
“That was just fantastic!” a dark
skin man said smiling at me yesterday. His hands rested on the shoulders of his
daughter, a girl with brown eyes the size of moons.
“It was fun,” I reply as we board
the Tender to ferry us back to the Ship.
His eyes were filled with pure bliss
and I knew this was the first time he has experienced a beach so pure. We were
instant brothers.
It was a quiet evening after a full
day in the sun.
While Sarah sleeps, I sip coffee
watching as we dock in Nassau trying the count the times I’ve been here. It’s
not my favorite Bahamian place but there’s a nice beach a short walk from here
which is where we’ll likely end up today.
Last year, I was diving off a
concrete Pier with a bunch of kids when a police officer made us stop, giving
me a lecture on how a tourist was killed just last week because he didn’t dive
correctly. As soon as he left, the kids and I resumed diving off the Pier.
Why am I still such a kid at 57?
Every morning when I get up is the beginning of a new adventure. It is an
immediate search for what’s fun! Whatever bar was set yesterday must now be
surpassed. Yesterday is only a collection of stories that can be dredged up
when the occasion calls for laughter. If I did anything wrong yesterday, I try
very hard to not do it again today.
I’m much more of a kid now than I
was in my 30s or 40s! Then I was trying to make it professionally, be a good
example for my kids, fit in the right social circles and care about politics.
I don’t do that stuff anymore. My
career was a jigsaw puzzle with no pieces missing though they were not
assembled according to instructions. I’m friends with my kids and we have good
times when we’re together. The only network I belong to is The Breakfast Club. I could care less about Republicans or
Democrats.
What’s really important is playing
with my friends!
At dinner last night I asked the
girls “Tell me the three things that have meant the most to you in life?”
“When I was born,” said one.
“Yeah well, it’s hard to top being
born,” I replied.
“Riding horses,” shouts another.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I
say to her.
There was a silence as small
children struggled with a big question.
“When Mommy married you,” was said
matter-of-factly to break calm.
Surprised, I asked, “Really? Why is
that?”
“You do things with us,” they said
in agreement. “You take us places.”
It was a humbling moment.
Then again, I’m at a place in life
when I no longer have to be the parent. There is no need for me to be an
authority figure or to have everyone like me. I’m a nice guy, like to make people
happy, enjoy poking holes in societal expectations and having fun.
Just like any other kid.
