The Summer of Bliss

By James Gorman

    

    I’m reminded of a great hard rock classic song “The Summer of 69” by Bryan Adams. Sixty Nine was a defining year; the end of a decade was approaching.  From Woodstock to Vietnam, it epitomized a change in, politics, culture, economics, and finances. Peace, love and drugs were rampant. It was a Historical milestone than can never and will never be duplicated. In the summer of Sixty Nine, I was three months into the God Forsaken hot jungles of Vietnam. Stoned out of my patriotic mind on Thai sticks, what I remember and what I forgot is all blended into one big blur.  I was told I was defending the free world against the spread of Communism. If I met one, I was trained to kill it, fortunately for the both of us, God were never properly introduced us. Fifty two years later, if we met, I would buy him a pint and have a  intellectual conversation.

         But that was then and this is now. This is a story about the summer of 2011, my first retirement summer, It was the summer of Shakespeare, Horse racing, fireworks and festivals. Sunrise biking and moonlight dancing. Bob Dylan concert, new restaurants, multi media events, Tree of Life twice, Celtic Cross and a new home away from home, Johnny Mac’s, living on free pizza and cold pints of IPA Double beer.  One thousand Gospel singers and fifty bongos celebrating summer solstice. Healing masses by a relative of Padre Pio, biscotti, buttered scones and sidewalk cafes.  Italian ice & wet walnut sundaes, sandcastles and surfers. Seared blacken tuna with wasabi: switch from vodka martins to anything with spiced rum.  It was the summer of Thirty three short stories, two published and thirty one pending. I started surf fishing. A Celtic Riverboat cruise, laughing on the golf course at the 6.0 picnic.  New Friends, relations and  beginnings.  New tenants come & go a successful $20 K summer.   Passionate lovemaking with the scent of  coconut conditioner on a  body that has been kissed by the sun.  Sifting sorting, forwarding one thousand email jokes. The Klondike luncheon, bonding and solidifying strong friendships with those that care.   Kenny & the Stalkers playing the blues on the patio. It was the summer of new beginning, goals and triumphs.  The summer I fell in love with my wife of 34 years, renewed vows, redefining goals and financial shifts in investments. I fell in Love with God and Life.  I hope between God, my wife and life know one gets jealous. Memories to hold on to, that will last a lifetime.  I am excited to see what the fall brings, but now I live in the moment breathing and visualizing all my surroundings. The profound lesson I learned, “Is once you realize that you have maxed out for a lifetime on fear, anxiety and stress, you decide know more, by default you left with pure happiness and peace of mind”.  I live every day like it is my last.

Ps. I hope you enjoyed your summer.

The End

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