It
was a few weeks ago and I took a mini vacation to Atlantic City with
my mom and aunt, it was at the very least short and my luck ran out
very quickly at the casinos. Like some of the spiraling casino
landmarks that are closing, I too felt bankrupt but with an once of
hope that things would turn around.
We took a trip to get away from our
usual routine which in a nutshell individually consisted of
babysitting, backaches, and boredom of the sameness. So I was beyond
excited to drive the about fifty minute drive to the small land of
greed, hotels, and salt water. I needed the outing to be relaxed and
literally not sweating small stuff. When we arrived at the shore I
was immediately filled with pure happiness that we had arrived safely
and that my mini vakay had begun.
Thinking of Season 5, episode 3 “Luck
Be an Old Lady” of Sex and the City where Carrie, Samantha,
Miranda, and Charlotte take an impromptu trip to Atlantic City to mix
it up from their lives in Manhattan, I was struck by certain
similarities in our trip. As with the girls as they traveled to
Jersey to bounce back from “same York” as Samantha called it and
to also celebrate Charlotte's 36th or for her, “sticking
it at 35.” My mother, aunt and I like the SATC crew were in search
of a new view outside the dusty streets of Philly. And yes, while we
have been to Atlantic City more times than I can count it was good to
get away. However, my planned escape turned into a repetitive
happening or happenings that I was NOT cool with.
Throughout our trip I was met with
constant text messages from my sister who very much knew where I was
and what I probably was doing. No matter to her she continued to send
me random and usual messages that we delve into on a daily. But at
that time and what I knew would be a short stay I didn't want to be
bothered with non-vacation topics. An innocent mishap on her end but
a bigger mistake on my part for even responding. I didn't want to not
respond for she would only keep messaging me, even as my dry
responses were, “Oh, wow.” She couldn't get the hint! But my
lovely sister wasn't the only one for my mom and aunt were greeted
with other outside stuff from home, phone calls, discussions of
things they needed to take care of once they got back.
So like Carrie, while I was only ready
to live it up, gamble, lay on the beach carefree, I was halted by
those around me or not really. Like in the SATC episode Charlotte
wanted to stay thirty-faux, Samantha wanted to watch Richard's every
move, and Miranda just wanted to wear her stretchy pants, unwind and
maybe catch up on sleep. It was as if the girls couldn't just let go
and ENJOY their time away. I for one like Carrie who went to grab a
saltwater taffy by herself, I ventured to the beach but in good
company with a good friend who lives nearby. We stretched out to lay
on the sand under the umbrella sun-kissed, and allowed the silence
between us to signify our need for tranquility.
Once I stepped outside of my mom's
bummer mood of not winning on the slots, and my aunt's phone calls
from home, I was able to enjoy my beach day. Even with questions of,
“Why gamble?” in my brain I still took the chance and tried to
stick with my play to win attitude. I won nothing....at the slots
that is because the trip made me wonder, why be down on your luck for
borrowed stress? It is stress that does not belong to me or at least
stress that I do not need to hinder me from having a great time. Love
may be still making its way to finding me, even as I sometimes feel
like an old yet young maid, I can work towards finding a happy
feeling despite any disruptions.
-Lish, The BCB
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