What is “good” or “bad” to a kid quietly yearning for safety? Dale made a safe harbor for you at a terrible time. You brought him to life. Domino too. I’d read more.
He sure did. I got to spend some quality time with him after he got out of prison, and he had quite a lovely final chapter, tending his roses, and "going steady" as he very sweetly called it, with a very kind and lovely woman in his retirement community in Northern California. I appreciate the encouraging words, as always. It means a great deal, coming from you.
The galloping horse, your sister laughing, and then this twist I didn't see coming, as though the scene with the horse were merely metaphor for all that came after. Wonderful.
I just read the four comments that preceded me and they say it all. Great writing. I was there with you. And what a ride your life was during that period with your mother. I come from quieter waters.
I much prefer quieter waters, Ann—that's our household these days. My kids love a crazy story now and again, so luckily there's a decent back catalog. Thank you so much for the kind words. It's great to have you reading along.
What a powerful writer (How apt that I initially wrote "rider" by mistake.). Just enough context, details, to bring us along on the wild beach ride, catching the wind in our hair, the sound and smell of sea foam and fear, along with the excitement and confusion, capturing so much of life.
Oh, thank you, Carol! I've been on horses since, but mostly very boring (and far saner!) trail rides. I've stopped telling anyone I'm an expert, too, which has helped. Thanks so much for the lovely comment. I really appreciate it.
How lovely to say, thank you, Francis. Amazing that you had a similar experience. The only thing I found more nervy than swimming in the sea there was watching my kids swim. Petrifying, indeed!
I appreciate your reading and sharing, and leaving such a lovely comment.
Once again I completely relate to this story of “ I can’t believe I survived or Mom what the hell were you thinking?” . I hung on every word. Thank you.
Oh, and as an adult I found myself galloping down a beach in Mexico with a trauma kit under my arm going to help with a head injury on the beach. I thought “who will treat my head injury?”
Always glad to hear from you, Michael—especially knowing how much you can relate. I'm so glad this one landed.
I hope you write about the Mexico rescue on horseback. I do quite often think, driving to the station or to a scene, maybe take it easy... you don't want to become another patient.
Wow! What a great read! That’s wild about Dale. Sorry that happened to you. I keep picturing the dad in Say Anything, Jim Court. I hadn’t realized you grew up in LA. Westworld could eat up some quarters. Cool pic you included too. As always, thanks for sharing.
Yes—Westworld could eat quarters... or, for a while, tokens! I remember at one point people having birthday parties there and we'd all get a bunch of tokens and try not to run through them in ten minutes flat. It might be hard to imagine now, but Westwood in general was pretty fun for teens back in the 80's.
Anyway, so glad you enjoyed this one. I hadn't thought of Say Anything in that context, though it's always been a favorite. Maybe it was so close to home, I ignored the connection. And coincidentally, I was obsessed with kickboxing for many years, too. (Sport of the future.)
My man, Lloyd Tourtelot, guys like us never want to buy, sell or process anything as a career. A token quarry like Westworld was where we did our best work, before work became work. Speaking of which, I’m working on a post set against the very sport of the future. Hoping to get it out this month. Good to know my Dennis Alexio reference won’t go completely unappreciated.
"This is the thing about going through things: it feels less lonely as you start to recognize it everywhere. Seeing what everyone endures, labels become meaningless: good, bad, victim, villain, beginner, expert. Each of us is both all and none of those things."
So well said. I loved reading this, and going on your wild ride with you. I myself had a stable, heartfelt upbringing, but still managed to find myself in hot water more than once. I'm amazed that I managed to get out fairly unscathed. That said, you certainly have a lot of fodder for your great writing, Rob!
Brilliant writing, as always. Your story continues to be beauty out of ashes. I once had a Domino ride too. He only understood Spanish and I was 12 weeks pregnant (not a brilliant move on my part) and too terrified to remember any of the five years of Spanish I had studied. The open beach called out his name and I called on God for help. Incidentally, I said I was a novice rider. Perhaps it was poorly translated. LOL. Great work, Rob.
Oh no! It's not as easy as it looks in the movies, is it? I'm glad to know that maybe if I hadn't pretended to be an expert, maybe the same thing would've happened. I'm even happier you ended up okay!
So happy to have you reading along, and thank you for the lovely comment. Beauty from the ashes—I love the way you put that.
Another HIT out of the park, Rob! I aspire to write as well as you someday. That your writing can pack such a punch, take your reader to so many different places and levels, concisely, precisely and with the conviction to totally, completely touch our open hearts 💕...
What is “good” or “bad” to a kid quietly yearning for safety? Dale made a safe harbor for you at a terrible time. You brought him to life. Domino too. I’d read more.
He sure did. I got to spend some quality time with him after he got out of prison, and he had quite a lovely final chapter, tending his roses, and "going steady" as he very sweetly called it, with a very kind and lovely woman in his retirement community in Northern California. I appreciate the encouraging words, as always. It means a great deal, coming from you.
I’m glad for him and for you.
The galloping horse, your sister laughing, and then this twist I didn't see coming, as though the scene with the horse were merely metaphor for all that came after. Wonderful.
Thanks so much, Jill!
I just read the four comments that preceded me and they say it all. Great writing. I was there with you. And what a ride your life was during that period with your mother. I come from quieter waters.
I much prefer quieter waters, Ann—that's our household these days. My kids love a crazy story now and again, so luckily there's a decent back catalog. Thank you so much for the kind words. It's great to have you reading along.
My pleasure - that's a cliche, but it's true. Quiet waters are a good place to be,
What a powerful writer (How apt that I initially wrote "rider" by mistake.). Just enough context, details, to bring us along on the wild beach ride, catching the wind in our hair, the sound and smell of sea foam and fear, along with the excitement and confusion, capturing so much of life.
Oh, thank you, Carol! I've been on horses since, but mostly very boring (and far saner!) trail rides. I've stopped telling anyone I'm an expert, too, which has helped. Thanks so much for the lovely comment. I really appreciate it.
God this was such a good piece of writing on so many levels. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.
That's so kind of you. Thanks, Elizabeth!
I like this essay very much. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Barbara. I appreciate you.
Wow, this is fantastic writing and a heartbreaking story. I love the bond you and your sister have.
I had a similar experience of riding a horse on a beach and swimming in the sea in Australia, petrifying!
How lovely to say, thank you, Francis. Amazing that you had a similar experience. The only thing I found more nervy than swimming in the sea there was watching my kids swim. Petrifying, indeed!
I appreciate your reading and sharing, and leaving such a lovely comment.
Once again I completely relate to this story of “ I can’t believe I survived or Mom what the hell were you thinking?” . I hung on every word. Thank you.
Oh, and as an adult I found myself galloping down a beach in Mexico with a trauma kit under my arm going to help with a head injury on the beach. I thought “who will treat my head injury?”
Always glad to hear from you, Michael—especially knowing how much you can relate. I'm so glad this one landed.
I hope you write about the Mexico rescue on horseback. I do quite often think, driving to the station or to a scene, maybe take it easy... you don't want to become another patient.
I loved this ride, Rob. Some of it was heartbreaking and some of it was freeing and beautiful. Just like life.
Thank you, Ally. That's so lovely to hear.
Wow! What a great read! That’s wild about Dale. Sorry that happened to you. I keep picturing the dad in Say Anything, Jim Court. I hadn’t realized you grew up in LA. Westworld could eat up some quarters. Cool pic you included too. As always, thanks for sharing.
Yes—Westworld could eat quarters... or, for a while, tokens! I remember at one point people having birthday parties there and we'd all get a bunch of tokens and try not to run through them in ten minutes flat. It might be hard to imagine now, but Westwood in general was pretty fun for teens back in the 80's.
Anyway, so glad you enjoyed this one. I hadn't thought of Say Anything in that context, though it's always been a favorite. Maybe it was so close to home, I ignored the connection. And coincidentally, I was obsessed with kickboxing for many years, too. (Sport of the future.)
My man, Lloyd Tourtelot, guys like us never want to buy, sell or process anything as a career. A token quarry like Westworld was where we did our best work, before work became work. Speaking of which, I’m working on a post set against the very sport of the future. Hoping to get it out this month. Good to know my Dennis Alexio reference won’t go completely unappreciated.
Can't wait to read it!
Fantastic, Rob! First time I’ve read this one. You really have lived a life and write about it so well.
Thank you, my friend. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. I really appreciate the kind words, and your sharing it!
"This is the thing about going through things: it feels less lonely as you start to recognize it everywhere. Seeing what everyone endures, labels become meaningless: good, bad, victim, villain, beginner, expert. Each of us is both all and none of those things."
So well said. I loved reading this, and going on your wild ride with you. I myself had a stable, heartfelt upbringing, but still managed to find myself in hot water more than once. I'm amazed that I managed to get out fairly unscathed. That said, you certainly have a lot of fodder for your great writing, Rob!
Thank you, Karen—so glad you enjoyed this one. It's great to hear from you, and I really appreciate your sharing the piece as well.
I remember this! So good on nuance and how angel and villain can be two sides of the same person.
Thank you, my friend. I always appreciate your kind and thoughtful words.
Brilliant writing, as always. Your story continues to be beauty out of ashes. I once had a Domino ride too. He only understood Spanish and I was 12 weeks pregnant (not a brilliant move on my part) and too terrified to remember any of the five years of Spanish I had studied. The open beach called out his name and I called on God for help. Incidentally, I said I was a novice rider. Perhaps it was poorly translated. LOL. Great work, Rob.
Oh no! It's not as easy as it looks in the movies, is it? I'm glad to know that maybe if I hadn't pretended to be an expert, maybe the same thing would've happened. I'm even happier you ended up okay!
So happy to have you reading along, and thank you for the lovely comment. Beauty from the ashes—I love the way you put that.
Your writing is so so good Rob. Thank you for sharing it here.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth. I'm humbled by your kind words, and thankful you shared the piece. I appreciate you.
Another HIT out of the park, Rob! I aspire to write as well as you someday. That your writing can pack such a punch, take your reader to so many different places and levels, concisely, precisely and with the conviction to totally, completely touch our open hearts 💕...
What a lovely thing to say. This has made my day, thank you, Ann!