Ominous...
Imposing...
A great barrier stands before us, separating what we knew was on the other side, before its erection, and the current ramblings of our vivid imaginations. Seemingly over night we had been cut off from what was beyond, as if it slipped into existence on the same magical trail as the snow, that now paints the landscape in pristine white.
On tip toe, our fingers trace the ragged edge of the fresh cut boards forming the curtain at the edge of our awareness. Why did they put this up? Are they keeping us out or keeping something in? Our minds waltz in ever greater circles of mystery.
Fingers stiffen as our gloves saturate from packing snow, forming a ramp between the base of the hill and the peak of the fence. Orange plastic sleds waiting at attention for their moment of glory to arrive. More snow...more snow...we bellow to young cousins and siblings now turned into indentured servitude to our cause.
Wind pricks pink cheeks as we race down the track toward toward what lies beyond, hearts thudding out drumbeats of anticipation to the moment we take flight...we will breach the veil together, one right after another.
In that moment of weightlessness, after leaving the ramp my life flashes before my eyes in fast forward...
a needle rising quickly on a speedometer...
a hand slipping past the waistband...
a gurgling inhalation in a smoke filled room...
a lie told innocently to save face...
to history written by the decisions we make, the boundaries we cross without thinking what lies on the other side...
Until you land in a heap of bodies at the base of the fence, that is deeper than where you came, and the only one that notices is the rather big dog that raises his head curiously...and seems to smile.
History.
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72 comments:
That's a lovely vignette - sure makes me think of all the things I've done in the past without thinking what lies on the other side.
If we thought, would we go?
I find I take a lot less chances the older I get. It's safer, but maybe not as exciting.
Ahhh, such is life. One adventure after the other. :)
All those little things accumulate into a lifetime of memories. Funny how they will pop into our minds at the oddest times.
"A gurgling inhalation in a smoke filled room." LOL. I very much enjoyed this. :)
cabo..the post or the room?
Ah! The recklessness of our youth!
It always seemed like a No trespassing sign or a parent telling you not to go somewhere was like an invite to explore. My history was built on bad decisions!
Hmmm, does make you stop and think. What about all those things we wouldn't do if we knew what the outcome was going to be..
Great post.
Kind of a stand by me sort of tale. I like that.
I was never concerned with my history until I started blogging.
You are quite a writer!
Elise
Will history repeat itself? Or is it a lesson learned?
History will get us all in the end. Nice post. Happy Theme Thursday Brian.
Oh yes....the chances we took. I have a few scars as evidence of my history of reckless risk-taking.
Beautifully written again, dear friend Brian.
a hand slipping past the waistband...
Oh my! How many fond memories of THAT!
When we are old we will regret the things we did not do - not the things we did. :)
I once made an unwise decision and I remember the moment precisely. I asked myself: Ten years from now will you be sorry you went ahead and made this decision, or will you mourn that you did not make it.
I (stupidly) lied to myself and thought it better to go ahead with my decision rather than mourn not making it later.
Now?
I live in uncomfortable moments of flashback memories of that unwise decision.
Did it ruin my life?
No
But it ruined the trust I once had in MYSELF to always be able to make the right decisions. That is the mourning I now have to deal with.
Very good writing again Brian. You always know how to peel the onion layers to go straight to the heart.
lunch! oh no.
you never know if you've gone too far, until it's too late to turn around.
such is life.
Well, you know what they always say about hindsight.
Great post, as usual but I'd like to forget my history.
Smiles!
Love that last paragraph Brian.
Happy tt.
You do have a way with words....
They say curiosity killed the cat, but my two kittens are still going strong, investigating every nook and cranny, every new thing. If I had kept my nose out of strange places and kept my hands to myself, I would have missed a lot of interesting memories that entertain me today.
Hmm... history says, "It's cold out here."
The present says, "I hope that dog is smiling."
The future says, "Maybe it is better on the other side."
;)
I am extremely grateful that I survived all my youthful, fun, and very unwise decisions.
Brian,
Very fine writing as usual. Memories do bring flashbacks for sure. Did we do all that we could have done in a certain situation? We can always use past experiences as a learning tool for the future.
The Bach
Love this one.
And thus i don't do such things when the end is rather in question! Great post here though. I really feel like a nimwit that I couldn't think of anything for history now that I've read such good posts. Silly me.
wow. i love this. i'm not very careful with looking before leaping. letting sleeping dogs lie. a cautionary "tail". ;) beautifully crafted, Brian.
some of the lines we cross.... mmmm, all part of growing, learing...
And yeah..it's true,we do things without knowing what lies behind.Past mistakes,history repeating itself..great post Brian!
The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.
Every choice we makes takes us on that pathway during our life's journey. If we worried and worried about the outcome of each choice, then we would be crippled and unable to make any choice at all.
I guess we have to look at life as an adventure, some adventures are great and wonderful, while others are not. As long as we try to choose good over evil then hopefully our journey will be a wise one.
But then again if we could all go back in time then we would buy stock in Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Nike, etc, and so the list goes on and on. We would invest in land and have sold before the crash of.....
I wonder what would have changed in my personal history if I could see my future....nah I do not want to know, if I did then I would never have a future, it would always be part of my present.
God bless.
What a great take on this theme. History is so much more than just dusty school books, isn't it.;)
Zuzana
I would love to try to ski. But I'm afraid of heights. And I hate being out in the cold. lol
a gentle kiss stolen in the dark corners of a hallway...
ah those were the days.
I keep reminding myself that without our histories, mistakes or safety nets, we wouldn't be the people we are now...
Wonderful TT post....
I'm with CatLadyLarew on this one. At least that how my mind seems to function, heh...
Better to be the dog at times. He get's to smile at the risks and rewards we take for ourselves, investing only his attention.
Interesting posts. I wonder if it would change decisions though even if you knew this.
Kate x
this is a great post. there are times i wish i would have explored more -- but if i had, how different would i be now?
I have never made mistakes in the heat of the moment. This post clearly has nothing for me.
I love how you used the imagery of winter/sledding to describe the choices that make up our history. Great post! It's not only bringing up memories (of sledding, etc.) but I'm also wondering if I take risks...hmmm.
You know...if one more person tries to get across my moat and fence for a solicitation.... ;)
Excellent historical take...
Hello,
similar to me, two boys in stock, curious about life journey secrets, write honest thoughts...
Cool blog!
http://www.jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com
welcome!
Hello,
similar to me, two boys in stock, curious about life journey secrets, write honest thoughts...
Cool blog!
http://www.jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com
welcome!
History.Gone To The Dogs!
I wish I had been a little more reckless in my youth actually.
I dont know about the others, but the older I get..the MORE chances and risks I take, as I know there is less time for me to do so and live out my dreams.
I loved this line: "Fingers stiffen as our gloves saturate from packing snow, forming a ramp between the base of the hill and the peak of the fence."
Happy TT! :)
Ah choice. The liberty in it yet the risk God took giving it to us. He must be so confident or infinitely bigger than we thought to risk us with such a gift.
Glad to be back, my friend. And thanks for keeping up with my rather erratic postings.
And my life's been never short of adventures (read as misadventures)!
So well said.
I'm glad only the big dog noticed. I always though everyone was watching. Maybe paranoia from the smoke filled room?
History = ouch!
I used to take such reckless chances as a teen, I am so careful now, it's ridiculous, I need to lighten up and be a little more adventurous in the New Year.
Very profound stuff as always from you. Worth several reads.
Reminds me of the old bull, young bull joke...
There was no stopping to think back then, the car couldn't go fast enough and nothing was so serious it had to be taken seriously. These days it is okay to reminisce and to smile at some of my oopsy moments, but I am so glad to be on the other side of the mountain finally.
Awesome, Brian. As usual, a wonderful take on History. Happy TT!
i often took emotional chances but not physical...
much love
I was on that ride with you! Wonderful
Hindsight makes it easy to see things for what they are. In looking backwards we can forget that what lies ahead of us is another lesson waiting for us. Great words Brian.
Sometimes what lies on the other side can't be thought through in advance. But to go or not? I'd rather not have to regret things not attempted.
One person's challenge is another person's safety zone. Happy TT
Somehow, I think we'd still take the chances...even in hindsight, with some things anyway! :)
Hi! Brian,
What interesting TT post as usual...I too would like to know was that a life lesson that you
learned not to "repeat" again? or did you pick yourself
dust yourself off and..."repeated" it again?!?
Happy Theme Thursday!
DeeDee ;-D
Oops! my letter "a" was sticking...This is what I meant to say..."What an interesting TT post as usual..."
DeeDee ;-D
turning a barrier into an adventure, i like that
Brilliant...brings back so many memories!!
Just stopping over from Eddie Blue Lights.
Hugs
SueAnn
Just think how different our lives would have been if we'd played it safe all the time and listened to the voice of reason instead of taking a chance.
I was holding my breath during the life flash-forward part... The dog was smiling, eh? Lunch! ;)
The folly of youth! Without it where would our blogs be?
I notice that this post has my very first comment for you,
it is so silly.
reading the post, it confirms that life could be so adventurous and enjoyable under the eye of a magician, I mean you make history, the boring facts look so lively and interesting...
I will see you next time.
I truly enjoyed your writings. I realize that I have so much to learn from you for the days to come...
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