The “66 Nuthin” (From The Christmas Gift Part 1)
(excerpt M1, Chapter 2, Joseph)
I see the scars from my childhood fumbles, how is it they can heal but the ones inside seem to hurt forever? So many people have asked themselves this question, so many people can relate to these feelings of hot and cold that are not of the physical realm. We know that my mother felt these things when my father left us. I personally know these feelings far too well. Much more than I can even begin to explain. Is there a way to heal these scars? Or is there a way to ease the pain of the initial cuts? Which are of course the hardest hurdles to cross. Well maybe we can take a journey together in this book and try to find the answers together. Maybe somehow we can find the clues, we can explore the depths of true feelings, true “real” love, and the way to see deception and know the truth. Maybe we can even find the keys to unparalleled emotional bliss-Love, Joy, and Happiness sought after by so many but found by so few. Maybe, just maybe, we can find a wonderfully incredible love so powerful, deep, and true that no matter what this world throws at us, whatever obstacle that comes in our way- it just won’t matter because nothing and no one will be able to chill the burning flame inside our hearts, ever.
Now, still being a child, I never experienced these things. I don’t think there is a child who has. I’m not saying there aren’t many children who haven’t had hardships and felt pain. My heart surely goes out to the many children in the world living with hunger and homelessness. But for the most part no matter what is thrown at a child, they seem to adapt and you can still see them smile. That’s because the happiness they have does not come from external sources. External happiness is something that a child learns as they grow up in this material world. The true happiness that they embrace and radiate is the happiness that they came with. The happiness that is the only true happiness. It is the out of reach false happiness that is what destroys that which is real and true.
So where is it that change takes place? When is it that we cross over from the innocence and Joy of childhood? I believe it is the minute we are thrown into this world, it just takes a few years for the things of this world to infiltrate our minds and hearts. Children don’t just naturally hate someone. Children do not hold grudges, and they don’t try quickly to get revenge or hurt someone. No, these are all things that they learn to do by the conditioning they receive growing up.
(break in excerpt, Poem by FPA Staff Writer Kelsey B)
They inhaled at birth with something that would be
The rust forms as knowledge is gained, ironic?
They came with real love.
The love that was in their parent’s eyes for each other
Unless it was lustful, greedy-
They still would be born with real love,
But maybe it would be converted more quickly
To what can I have for me?
What can I take from him or her to satisfy my needs?
We all strive for happiness
Even those of us who are the most decayed,
Either it’s the zing in our bellies, the excitement we crave
It is our heart sitting on a concrete base.
It isn’t the butterflies, or the racing pulse,
Children have a light shining from within
Our hearts have been subject to a selfish bitter winter
Sometimes, we find a home that is secure, but the cold can still break in,
When we scrape the ice off the inside of the windows to see out,
What is our world colored with?
Are we empowered by the love within us?
Or are we grasping and fiending for something to fill the holes inside us?
Or is our heart burned instead of iced over?
Has it become tight and black?
When it has, maybe it is like crusted lava fields, something still shines out.
How can the lava melt away the
(resume excerpt M1, Chapter 2)
Well, by now, I’m about fifteen years old, cruising through life. Cars and girls are the only motivation. Get a killer car, and you can get a fine girl. After years of no progress in the weight room and not much more on the guitar, I noticed that the guys with girls always had a car. I had only a learner’s permit and my Schwinn bicycle, a three speed on the column that I converted to a BMX. Yep Kmart was my auto parts store, and the trails at Terra Village apartments were my cruising grounds. How could I change this?, I thought as I cruised shotgun in my brother in laws 66 mustang. West Colfax Avenue, was the big boys cruise strip and Super Shops was the toy store. I’ll never forget how my sister’s boyfriend now my brother-in-law became my best friend. He would come ever to taker her on a date and would end up taking me instead. It was great. We would hit Wendy’s first off. It was always the same thing, a triple, large fries, and a frosty. I loved the way he used to eat his frosty like a push up without a spoon or straw. Then it was off to the strip, either west Colfax or 16th street down town Denver which now has been converted to an outdoor mall.
I’ll never forget one night when we were down on 16th everyone was hanging out of their cars yelling at other cars and people walking down the street. You would see guys chugging beer as they revved their engines and squealed their tires. The girls just giggled and flirted then would take off and try to elude the guys. Then it happened, two very pretty girls in a souped up VW bug drove up next to us. They were on my side of the car. I pressed my feet to the floor and wriggled myself in the seat in an attempt to look taller. Resting my right arm on the door while my left reached across the seat in a desperate attempt to get Mark’s attention. “Mark, check it out” I tossed out of the side of my moth trying to keep my cool composure. Then slowly I began to turn my head. It seemed like slow motion. The adrenaline rushed through my veins and the butterflies were going crazy in my stomach. My eyes opened as my head came to rest pointed right at the girl in the driver’s seat. She was looking right at me, our eyes met and she smiled. I don’t remember for sure but I think I screamed. I know I did on the inside anyway. Before I could gather my thoughts the light turned green and they were off. Sitting there completely in awe and baffled by the whole ordeal. I looked at Mark and said “Mark I have got to get a car!” Yes this is the one and only way to get chicks. I convinced myself. Not hearing something Mark said, I turned “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I said. “Are you OK?” he replied. “Yeah, I’m OK” I said, as the sound of the finely tuned V8 exhaling through the dual turbos purred through my heart. I discovered the rush of the connection between boy and girl, male and female, man and woman, and the vehicle in which I was to travel to make the physical contact that my heart had been longing for. As I looked into Mark’s eyes I was lost in the feeling of the control he had over this vessel as he sailed through the streets of our hometown.
I sure envied him, so big and strong and sharp looking. I could truly see all that my sister did in this man, Colorado State University engineering student about to be the next Nuclear Engineering Consultant. Oh how proud I was when my sister announced their engagement, and “to my best friend!” I shouted to everyone making sure they knew. He just looked at me and smiled, grabbed me, roughed up my hair and said “shacker” the name we called each other. For a moment I forgot about the girls. I forgot about the cars, I forgot about all that I thought love was as I embraced a moment of real love, real admiration, and saw with eyes that only now have come to understand. That smile, that gleam in his eyes, that wonderful way he would look at my sister as though he was going to cry with joy. That image truly outshined the brightest star leaving the most impressive forms of transportation paled rust in comparison.
Looking back at that time, I can’t see that car anymore. I forgot what those flirting girls looked like. But in my mind and in my heart I can still see that smile on his face. And I see it in the faces of their children who are true reflections of the love they have shared now for over 17 years. I salute them for their strength, for the unconditional understanding, and undying love. And though not truly grasping all they had taught me until even now, for showing me the difference between looking through the eyes of desire and looking through the eyes of love. Thank you Mark & Pam.