A Girl Walked into Another Bar & Food for Thought this Thanksgiving Day
A girl walked into another bar. A different bar from the last time. This time she walked in alone. Because she was invited there. A few weeks had passed and there was simply silence with regard to the guy she met in the bar on that random Wednesday night. Now on a random Monday night, as she was lying on her couch watching sentimental romance movies, contentedly enjoying the peace and bliss of her own quiet solitude, she received an unexpected text message from an unidentifiable phone number that simply stated, “I’m in town. At the hotel bar.”
Without a doubt, she knew who sent the message and her heart began to race. So much so that she began to feel faint as she scurried around her house to put herself together. As she climbed into her car, she knew exactly which hotel bar to drive to and as she walked in, she felt a nervous excitement that she had not experienced since her teenage years. And there he was. The guy. Sitting alone in the nearly empty bar. Waiting patiently for her arrival. He stood up as she approached and they hugged. There was a desperation of sorts in that embrace. She was unable to define exactly what it was though. Could it be desire, passion, wanting, needing, missing, or simply the mere pleasure of being in each other’s presence once again? She was not sure then and she likely will never be sure what it all meant.
As the evening progressed, they once again engaged in the soul-feeding conversation on topics that only they seemed interested in. Ignited by his intellect and the mystery of his ways, she didn’t want the night to end. Entranced by the conversation, she briefly glanced around the bar and realized they were the only two in the room. Literally and quite appropriately, no one else seemed to exist. Her soul said don’t let it go right now, for you may never experience this cerebral connection again. But her rational mind kept telling her it was time to begin the conversation about good-byes. She suspected that this time really was the last time she would be in his presence, that this good-bye would be quite final. And her mind began to wonder if the memories would be enough to last a lifetime. Or if these memories, like many others, would eventually fade away over the coming years.
A deep sadness came over her. She thinks he felt a similar sort of melancholy about the whole thing. She expressed that as wonderful as the night had been, it was so very bittersweet, for now was the time that it absolutely had to come to an end. He responded that bittersweet was much better than plain old bitter. And she agreed with a smile while selfishly wanting the sweet without the bitter. And as they hugged one last time, they both whispered simultaneously, “Don’t forget me.”
As she drove home ever so slowly that night, she became a little disappointed with herself for spending too much of the evening in contemplation about the meaning of it all. Had she not learned from the last time that living in the moment and creating the memories was much more important than trying to figure out the why’s of the universe and its mysterious ways? While she may never understand the reason the universe decided to align these two strangers for such a brief period of time, she will forever be grateful for the time she had to make a meaningful connection with a person whom she admired so greatly. For now, she will have to be satisfied with the very fond memories of a stranger whom she would have never met if not for the universe and all of its ridiculousness.
So food for thought this Thanksgiving…sometimes it is better to stop questioning the why’s and how’s and what if’s and what not’s and just live right in the moment. As if nothing outside of you exists for even a brief period of time. Put the cell phones away, ignore the social media overload, don’t answer the phone, don’t take a picture. Just be…right there in the moment…and experience the universe. Be grateful for all of it. Be thankful for the memories. Be appreciative for all that you have. Experiences are what make this life fulfilling and give it meaning. And experiences last much longer than anything you can buy in a store. Invest in your experiences.
Wishing you all a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
21 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
A great message on this Thanksgiving day!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tamar! Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorna
You look lovely! I’ve never seen green boots like this before and I think you styled them perfectly!
Raindrops of Sapphire
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Lorna! Green is my very favorite color and if I find green shoes or boots, I need to have them!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
Happy Thanksgiving, Shelbee. I’m thinking you should start a book because you’re quite the storyteller!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jodie, thank you so much! I need to stop my whining about wanting to write a book and just get to it! But then I get overwhelmed and push it to the bottom of my to-do list. But I do love to weave a good tale! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. I hope your day is filled with love, laughter, and good food!
xoxo
Shelbee
jacqui berry
One of my most favourite looks on you Shelbee. I love the bottle green jacket and boots, one hot mumma right there. Great background as well, so nice to find an interesting setting. Hope you’ve managed to join the #chicandstylish #linkup Hun. Jacqui Mummabstylish
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui! We loved this background for photos and will be exploring more of it for future photo shoots. I have joined the link up!
xoxo
Shelbee
Susan Marinelli
Loving your outfit Shelbee! Enjoy your holiday!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Susan! Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
You are looking very nice. Love the look. Such a wonderful story and I completely agree with you abou experiences in life. I was actually in a discussion with people who are considered more sophisticated than me but have limited experiences in life. It was amazing. The amazing part was that their sophistication was bought and not experienced. They had to have the right food, stay at the right hotel, etc.. For me most of my experiences just happen and can’t not be bought with any money.
I may take pics and share what I am doing with the world but I do take in what I am seeing before I do all of that.
Have a blessed and good Thanksgiving.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Patrick! Experiences really are more important than anything. And some of the best ones with the most important life lessons are the ones that don’t cost any money at all. And yeah, we all take pictures….especially us bloggers…but sometimes, I just need to put it all away and be in the moment! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with many blessings and beautiful memories!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
Such an intriguing story! I love your green faux fur vest and the OTK boots!
emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! I do love telling a good story!
xoxo
Shelbee
Paul
Great continuation story. Since they had such an intense cerebral connection and that memory and moment did not fade they should have connected on all levels ,physical also, you are looking hot
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Paul, thank you so very much! I have to admit I was feeling pretty hot in this outfit! Ha. And they may have connected on a physical level. I have not explored that possibility in any great depth yet. Perhaps there will be a third post to continue this story…only time and my writing muse will tell! Have a fantastic weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kim
The green fuzzy vest and boots are a wonderful pairing, Shelbee. Maybe some OTK boots need to make a need-to-get list!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kim! You definitely need a sassy pair of over the knee boots…or maybe a few pairs in different colors! Black Friday weekend is the time to make the purchase! Have a great weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Steph
Those boots! Love them!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Steph! Have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
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