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| Piazza S. Eustachio Rome, Italy |
I watched as the snowy-haired, wrinkly-skinned accordion
player fluidly pumped the bellows of his tattered instrument bringing two
children upright in pure delight.
The baby (two maybe three), entranced by twinkling eyes
and rhythmic motion of his body, began twirling.
With sheer abandon. Arms overhead.Without concern for
anything but her glee.
The older one (six or seven), twirled once then glanced around.
Desire in her eyes yet paralyzed with self-consciousness. Slipping behind her
mother.
When is that moment? The moment we realize then stop.
Start watching. Stop twirling. Start caring.
Somewhere between two and seven.
Damn that moment.
This week Trifecta is giving us a page from the Oxford English
Dictionary. The ninety-ninth page, to be exact. Click here. From this
page, we can choose any word, any definition, to use in our post. (The
word I chose is in bold.) And instead of the typical 33-333 word limit, they
are asking for 99 words exactly.
Damn that moment indeed. I'm glad my little one hasn't reached that moment yet. I can only hope when my kids get older that they choose to go back to the time where they danced with abandon, not a care about who watched. Great story!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, once we realize it, that we can ever go back. Not look around, not care who sees. I think we can capture a moment or two every once in awhile when we forget that anyone is watching. I'm sorry to say that I don't live that way anymore. Sad! Thanks for visiting!!!
DeleteGina, oh how I loved this. I want to get back to that feeling of abandon, of PURE joy and dance like no one is watching. My sons are still dancing like that...they shake, they boogie, they allow themselves the glee..and when I'm with them , I stand up and dance too.
ReplyDeletesigh, how beautiful your words are my friend.
You are so my favorite!!! Really PURE anything, right? It was so charming and lovely to see this little Italian girl. It was also interesting, very, to observe the difference between her and her sister who are separated only by a few short years. But then, 4 years when you are 3 and 7, is a lot.
DeleteYou are so lucky to still see that with your boys. We used to dance together when they were little too! I wonder...My son, 20, still loves to dance (will ask me all the time and twirl me around until my head spins). My daughter is a little more cautious. Could it also be related to personality type?
That damned moment... this one was so bittersweet and nicely written...
ReplyDeleteDamn it! Thank you, Bjorn. That's how it felt watching these girls last week (bittersweet).
DeleteWell done. I've always wondered when that moment was.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are far too young. That's when I think...
DeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
DeleteOh! That moment when we lose that carefree nature... Lovely write. :-)
ReplyDelete-HA
If only it came in a bottle for use in adulthood. Someone would be filthy rich if they could figure that one out. Thanks, HA.
DeleteGreat observation! That is a cruel moment.
ReplyDeleteCruel, yes. But part of life.
DeleteDamn that moment. Once it happens, going backwards is so very difficult. This is so beautifully written and poignant.
ReplyDeleteGoing back longterm is difficult. I think there can be moments.
DeleteThank you for your kind words.
This is a lovely story. It's sad to reach that moment, but we all do.
ReplyDeleteThank you. And sadly, we do.
DeleteI've often yearned to be able to go back, before "that moment".
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
Calgon, take me away!!!
DeleteThanks, Tina!
Oh, for the days where we could dance with reckless abandon. :)
ReplyDeleteNice work.
These days, it takes a glass of wine or two. Thanks!
DeleteI love this, Gina!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I am just on the cusp back over that moment (much to my daughters' chagrin).
Thanks, kymm!
DeleteMaybe it does come back around when we get older. A point were we say "screw it". I'm going to be how I want to be, like it or not. Hopefully!
Ah, this is great. Damn that moment indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Indeed!!!
DeleteOh I so agree. Damn that awareness.
ReplyDeleteOnce we reach that age, whatever one that is, we can't help it.
DeleteThis is lovely...and so true!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra!
DeleteI agree with this-so utterly true. Damn the moment.
ReplyDeletePerfection, Gina!
I almost used a stronger word than "damn" but decided against it even though it's how I feel. You are way too nice, Valerie. Thank you! Congrats on your placement this week. I always love your writing.
DeleteParalyzed by self-consciousness - oh yes - that moment - damn it to hell. Love the introspective aspect of this, Gina. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, steph!
DeleteGreat work.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThis is really beautiful. Just today I watched my almost 7 year old boogie in the bakery while deciding what to order. Melts my heart every time. Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteIt was gorgeous to watch myself. I'm happy and a bit jealous you saw it yesterday. I want it back. That moment. Those moments when you don't realize you aren't by yourself.
DeleteFANTASTIC. I dread that moment. What a great, introspective piece, Gina!
ReplyDeleteI did, too. Thank you, Christine.
DeleteFantastic piece! Very well written.
ReplyDeleteI think, as you said to Kir, personalities come into play, too. My 11-year-old daughter has yet to have that moment. Love that about her. :)
I do believe its personality driven. Thanks, Ivy.
DeleteHow beautifully you described this Gina-so true,the moment which can never be returned to-and a good question-why do we become so conscious and start caring about what others may think or say-damn it!!
ReplyDeleteI there are moments you can't return to, I believe. This is one of them. Atreyee, you are always such a supportive audience for me. Thank you so much!!!
DeleteI see this moment with mine, now that they're older and I make sure I document it
ReplyDeleteI loved the imagery, here
Documentation, in any form, is important. Thanks, Lance.
DeleteLoved it.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you know that the flipside of this is true, as well. We have all been at weddings and the like, where someone who should stop dancing just insists on dancing and dancing some more! Damn those who don't know when enough dancing is enough! :) But seriously, I still treasure every single second of innocence that my girls maintain. I know I will shed a tear or two when Santa ceases to be magical and the like. You captured that moment perfectly......unfortunately, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know the dancing fool you mean! Yeah, the Santa think stinks when the big exposure happens. Hard to fully describe the feeling as a parent. Yes, unfortunately! Thanks, Tom.
DeleteFantastic, Gina. That was lovely. I hate that moment. I can narrow it down a little more for you. My youngest is nearly 5. She just started caring. Thanks for linking. Don't forget to vote.
ReplyDeleteIt was sweet, bittersweet, to observe. I lived it with my own so many years ago. But I have outgoing older children so occasionally a little but of the "I'm carefree" still comes out.
ReplyDelete