Saturday, November 17, 2007

You Are My Sunshine

It was a beautiful November morning. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the air was cool and crisp. The breeze was happy and gentle. It was the perfect day for a picnic.

The DJ had just finished setting up. The music wafted out to every corner of the large, grassy lawn.

She must have been around thirteen or fourteen. She stood taller than most of the kids that ran around her. I disliked her immediately.

By virtue of her height and age, she reserved the right to bully the kids around her. She talked loudly and poked fun at everything that moved. I watched as she and her best friend pointed and laughed at a little girl's fluffy dress. The little girl blushed and hid behind a tree. She was going to grow up to be one mean-spirited woman, I figured.

Not quite.

When she lifted her head and looked past me, the mean smirk on her face was so instantly transformed into an expression of such genuine warmth, that I just had to turn around to see what had caused the change.

It was her grandfather. He was hobbling down the grassy path with his walking stick, wanting to join his grandchildren where they played. The breeze lifted the hair off her face as she ran to meet him half way.

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his wrinkled cheek. He kissed her back and they were lost in animated conversation when he suddenly lifted his walking stick and started to dance to Sean Paul's "Temperature". She held his hand and danced with him, swinging her foot back and kicking it out in time with his foot, in the traditional Arabic style.

And then they threw their heads back and laughed, these two children, dancing in the sunlight.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

whose B-day?! It sounds nice ;)

Unknown said...

That is, human nature. Very raw, and transparent!

Ri said...

Chika,

I don't remember saying it was anybody's birthday *looks at you through narrowed eyes*

N,

But N, the point I'm trying to make here is ... just when you think you have someone figured out by only looking at them, something happens and turns your entire perspective on its head.

Unknown said...

You're right about that. I don't think it changes the way she was. I'm not saying it is bad, or she's wrong, but only to be fair -- this is what I meant by being raw; human beings can change in an instant, and are not all good or all bad.

You write well Ri, I admire that ;)

Ri said...

N,

Aww stop. You're making me blush. You're not too bad yourself, you know. You see things, I admire that.
Hey, now we can start our very own Mutual Admiration Society.

Unknown said...

Haha! So a 1 person fan club, hey I actually like that! ;)

I'll get my "Fan of Ri" t-shirts made! Which brings me to question, why Ri?

♀ L's brain ♀ said...

I was hyper liek a demon 5 mins ago. trying wretchedly to calm down and hit the sack as it's getting late! this post as well as the previous one did it! lovely Ri!

By the way, whose birthday was that??????????????? ..... .....LOL I'm kidding :P teasing teasing

Ri said...

L,

Sunshine will do that for you :D

And if you're stalking me, make sure you're wearing something sexy. Thank you kindly.

Ri said...

L,

Also, STOP DISAPPEARING LIKE THAT, DAMMIT @^#&^%@!*&@

Unknown said...

Oh Ri, would you now? I'd like to see that! :P

I would get a tattoo but it is against my principles. I warned you before about allowing me to unleash the darkness within, t-shirts will have to do for now ;P

Anonymous said...

Touchy!
Most people would have experienced this. But, only some, including you and me, have realised it.

I'm beginning to get addicted.

Ri said...

N,

It's a good thing you have principles. I like the challenge *evil laughter goes here*

I'll take the t-shirts. For now.

KI,

I never met any of my grandfathers. That's probably why I've always been drawn to grandfather-grandchild relationships.
Go ahead, baby. Indulge yourself :D

♀ L's brain ♀ said...

tsk tsk tsk! Ri ! Ri ! *shakes head* just admit that you miss me! come on! that's ok ..you can say it!! I know you can do it!

L's brain i miss you! come on say it now! !!


:P

Zed said...

nice blog

Ri said...

L,

HA! YOU WILL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVVVVVVVVVVVVVE!


Zed,

Thank you. Feel free to wander around and mark your territory *chuckle*

Touché said...

Beautifully written.

Made me wanna grow old to live a glimpse of that scene.

I know it's not the essence of your post, but couldn't help to fall for the scene.

Ri said...

Touche',

Thank you, kindly.
I hope you grow old happy and swamped with loving grandchildren.

indicaspecies said...

Arabic dance steps to Sean Paul's 'Temperature' ..wow! Sounds cool.

"..then they threw their heads back and laughed, these two children.."
A damn cute post. Keep writing Sunshine. :)

Ri said...

Indie,

Thank you, baby. :D

Unknown said...

A new post is overdue! :)

Anonymous said...

I couldnt agree more with N.