Virginia Beach, September 14, 2013
I went running in Seashore State Park this morning. It was a cool Saturday morning in the high 60s, and the park was packed with runners, bikers, dog walkers, and families on nature walks. The park is full of trails that run through the woods and along the bay, with small white-sand beaches. It’s a really nice place. But this morning it was even nicer. I began to notice that everyone I came in contact with was really happy. I had a sense of pervading joy as I ran past parents playing with their children, people smiling as I passed, and other runners giving me that passing “you’re one of us” greeting. I could tell the dog walkers were proud of their dogs, and parents were really enjoying playing with their children. Everyone was extremely polite, apologizing when their children or dogs got in my way as I ran past.
The odd thing was that this joy was so complete. Everyone in the park, without exception, seemed to be a part of it. Where was it coming from? Was it the serene tranquility of the park on a cool, beautiful morning? Something spiritual underlying it all? Was anyone else feeling this unity of joy that was overwhelming me? I think they were.
Later, people went home and fought over burnt toast, and the innumerable troubles of life began again, but there was a moment of real, fleeting happiness there. It’s a strange and wonderful paradox that such momentary joy can exist in a world of such suffering.
Response from a friend:
The sound of Seashore State Park sounds like a dream come true right now – not that I don’t enjoy winter, because I do – but a few days of some hot sunshine to warm the soul would be amazing. I’m doing that Thursday – heading to FL for a week; can’t wait.
So, a few things that struck me – one, the simplicity of happiness sometimes – no one in the park was doing anything extraordinary, nor did they need to spend lots of unnecessary money to experience the joy and happiness of that morning – love that. For some, it was just being together with family, friend, lover, or dog – for others, just rejoicing in the simplicity of a beautiful and peaceful morning that most Americans are guilty of taking for granted. Pure and simple.
The other thing that struck me was “you’re one of us”. My first feeling I can remember of “you are one of us” was with Karina and Dasha when I took them to the annual “Summer Stroll” on Main Street in Old Saybrook that summer, a night where all the families, teenagers, silver haired couples etc. are out to enjoy music, arts & crafts, food and people watching (my favorite). Being single, sometimes it’s hard, well, often impossible, to feel that you’re “normal, “fit in, one of them, particularly when you live in a little seaside bedroom community like Old Saybrook. Being with Karina and Dasha that night, it clicked in a big way – it was almost the first time I felt what it might be like to feel somewhat complete. I figure that night was a big step toward the adoption decision. I’m guessing you feel that way, too, when you have the kids from Ukraine here – it’s pretty powerful.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not recommending that you adopt a child – I already recommended a girlfriend and I stick by that…but add to the list of a vegan, social minded Christian girlfriend, a girlfriend that has a ready-made family for you – wouldn’t that be awesome for you?! Include that in your prayers tonight – you have to be very specific because God is very busy to get all the details just right.