Sunday, November 11, 2007

You Never Know What You Want Until You Have It

All these years later, I can't hear Frank Sinatra without thinking of him. We dated for most of our time in college. He was young and beautiful and we loved each other madly. We shared a goofy sense of humor and many wonderful times. Honestly, today, there are no regrets, but that wasn't the case for years.

He was from a privileged family. His parents were still married, there was a family business and trust fund. In my early twenties, that all added up to far too much "tradition" for me. I loved him terribly, but my future seemed so proscribed if I stayed with him. In my immaturity, my response was to assert my feminist "philosophies" and my disdain for small town (Louisville, KY) living. Surprisingly, the relationship fell apart.

This afternoon the boys and I attended a Brunswick Stew party. It's an annual event put on by a family friend that entails the all-day process of cooking the stew over an outside fire pit. In the crisp fall air, the fire and the stew smell amazing. We all stand around the fire and enjoy the company and a few beers. The kids run around in the woods, play on the playground in the park behind the house and the dogs nose legs hoping for a scrap or two. There are people we see that we only see once a year at this party and we all greet each other with hugs and big smiles.

As I walked out of the party tonight with my three boys and my husband and loaded into the car, I thought about what a nice day we had and how much I love traditions.

10 Deserve Mamma's Love:

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

I know of what you speak.

Redsy said...

But you weren't ready then... If you *had* stayed with beautiful man, you would have gotten restless and irritable...

See? Ask me. I know :)

Anonymous said...

Happens, doesn't it?

Julie Pippert said...

All in good time. :)

I've had a similar shift, in a way. It's cool to get to know and value simple things, too.

Julie
Using My Words

Nancy said...

I wish I had more "traditions" ... the only one that I have is going to my older sister's house for Christmas ... we have for longer than I can remember, and I hope it never ends.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, girl. I love traditions and they mean so much to our kids also. We may not realize it now but this is what they will remember fondly when they are adults.

OhTheJoys said...

There is a man from college for me who also is called to mind by Sinatra.

(And I loves me some brunswick stew- though NO ONE makes it as well as my uncle Mac.)

GHD said...

That was a very touching story! I think we've all been there in some way or another before.

Anonymous said...

ONE other guy captured my heart before Mr. OMSH and he left me, not me leaving him.

So, though I don't know of what you speak, I have felt the pain of the loss here and there.

Not that I want to go back. I never want to go back. Just wonder, what if...

Lawyer Mama said...

It's funny how things change.