Thursday, January 29, 2009

Dripping and Shivering

When we were still dating, sometimes The Magster Magdus and I would take showers together. When the shower was over, we would throw back the curtain, grab our towels, and wrap them about ourselves. She would step out onto the bathmat and begin to dry her body and hair. I would not, instead choosing to shiver and complain about the cold world outside the shower, mustering up the initiative to step out of the tub. She would chastise me for dripping dry instead of toweling off. Often she was fully dried and dressed before I would begin to mop the remaining moisture from my skin.

But this isn't about Magdus or showering. It's about dripping and shivering.

My shower ended last year. I threw back the curtain and stepped out of the tub onto the Chicago area. Since then I've been watching my friends getting dressed and getting ready for the rest of their lives.

For starters, Magdus is finding peace and reconnecting with her family. As for my other Kansas City friends, P. Tott is finding his niche and advancing in his career. Katie has her Master's now. Rachel has her own place and is enjoying her job. Jaysix is finishing up one of his Semi-Concrete Life Goals™. Here near Chicago, Nico has gotten a place with her boyfriend and is taking classes. Happy Time and Stellar are learning how to not only live with addiction, but also live better in spite of it and because of it.

All the while, I seem to be huddled in my towel, dripping and shivering -- wishing to move on.

3 comments:

  1. You don't give yourself enough credit for the progress you've made. Maybe professionally things are stalled, but as a person, you are showing these new and different facets that SO enrich the lives of those around you. Your patience has grown tremendously; your tolerance as well. You have shown more generosity and love in a few short months than you used to in a years' time. I'm grateful for you, and if you need a warmer, fluffier towel, we keep those in the linen closet next to your room. :)

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  2. damn, i can't figure out how to turn the water off and it went cold years ago ...

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  3. I just want to cry...Mom

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