There are many moments in life when; if you were to ask the 10-year old version of myself what awe-inspiring happiness looked like, “Watching my [eventual] wife in everyday life” would be the furthest explainable retort from that kid’s mind, if it had crossed his mind at all for that matter.
But, as it turns out, the 10-year old versions of ourselves never know what makes the world turn, save for the stomach pains resulting from ingesting mass amounts of chocolate or the tempestuous nature of a juvenile’s [and in some cases, sadly, grown men’s] emotional level involved with sport. I digress. When you get down to the matter of raw unfiltered happiness, it generally plays hand in hand with the person you love the most; and in specific cases, witnessing that person in their own uninhibited moment of happiness.
Therefore, you would often find the most-genuine of smiles adorning my face on nights when I come home from work and just observe my wife in the kitchen, where her creativity meets her passion, where her relaxation transforms simple ingredients into an unrequited masterpiece, where she composes her culinary symphony as I sit with an audience of canine and feline. Surely I am not as far removed from said canine, or at least I am not privy to comparing any kind of relevant skill to that of my wife’s, which keeps me in my place as I watch from a gallery that drools and licks lips in a synchronized unison.
She tells me why she adds this and that to her red Le Creuset pot, mixing her creation all at the same time with the opposite hand that wields a matching red stir spoon. Tonight she works with her hands as her lips and body movements match the tunes of her childhood, Melanie C. Yes, you’ve heard this artist before, maybe not in her current form, but perhaps as the less ‘desirable’ member of the femme fetale fivesome known as the Spice Girls. I say ‘less desirable’ not as a slight to her or her work, but because she was arguably the least noticeable member of the group, only because she was sporty and tomboy-ish and always in the background in an industry where sex sells. Don’t be fooled though, Mel C is by far the most talented of the group when it comes to vocal range, writing technique and all-around knowledge in pop music. She’s made quite a legacy for herself as a solo artist, focused primarily on success across the pond in her home country and the surrounding areas that, unfortunately, do not include these great United States.
As we listen to Melanie C’s record called ‘The Sea’ (at my request, she thinks I don’t like listening to Mel C, which is far from the truth); her naturally beautiful face raises from her chin and she looks at me in a way only I am privileged enough to witness. She is relaxed, she is care-free, and she is doing what she does to unwind from the day; but the best part about this fascinating study in her daily routine is that I get to observe it for myself, with nobody else but these animals as an awe-struck peanut gallery.
Dinner is almost ready now, I don’t have much time left to continue my diatribe about how lucky I am to even be in the same room as the woman across the counter from me. But the fact remains, I am WAY out of my league, and am the luckiest man in the world. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of observation, a little bit of stepping back and just using your eyes to make you see things that otherwise get overlooked when it comes to being blessed with the best life you could ask for. Melanie… play us out, you are the soundtrack to my wife, and therefore, the soundtrack to our life together.
‘When I hear our favorite song, don’t reminisce, just close my eyes and sing along…’
Komentáře