It has been a hectic few weeks lately. Like I had been living on a roller coaster with people screaming and yelling all the time. Crazy times, trying to resolve some of the challenges that adult life seems to be filled with. If somebody had told me this upfront I would have refused to grow up. Currently speculating a lot with Cryptos, taking big risks. As I want to get rid of the mortgage before I kick the bucket.
So far I seem to have made the right choices. Today reminded me of how my Dad had taught me these things. It has been fourteen years since he went out of time. Went to the field today where his ashes were scattered. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, I often find myself speaking with him for a while after I have put some flowers in a vase.
I told him about his granddaughter, fifteen already, she barely got to know him. It was freezing, the hard wind made it feel much colder. Lots of flowers and lanterns spread out all over the field. Just after the holidays it is like this. Speaking in a soft voice, it still sounds loud. Telling him about my portfolio, how I invested my earnings, just like he taught me. Although he never came to know what Cryptocurrencies are, he would have smiled if I'd shown him the results.
After a while I noticed that dusk was turning into darkness. The wind became stronger and the temperature dropped quickly. Had to do some shopping before heading home. Slowly walked back to my bike, in my mind saying goodbye to my father. Then I noticed there was a new bench placed, close to the field of ashes. For some reason unknown to me I stopped and took a seat.
"Tits...", besides me stood an elderly man, staring at the horizon while he said that. There was an orange glow in the sky, the reflection of the city lights. "Tits, they're everywhere, you see...?" At first I thought the man had some illness, de la Cheau Fontaine, it is called I think, or something French anyway. Seems to make people curse. Wondered why that was and not with saying nice things, for instance. Must be hell for people who suffer from it.
"They come in all sorts and kinds, see..." And I did my best to catch his drift, but somehow I had the idea we were not tuned into the same frequency here. He looked distinguished. Age had treated him well. Would be okay to grow old like that. Maybe not wanting to talk about tits with total strangers, but you cannot win 'em all, right?
"Magnificent birds they are." While he said that he moved his arms and hands like he wanted to take off like a plane. "Ow, I see now, you mean birds, as in like flying and stuff!" Suddenly I understood, he meant those little chubby yellow breasted birds.
He started to laugh out loud, which did seem a little inappropriate being at this specific location. And he tapped me a few times on my shoulder while he said: "Good fun son, good fun. Must remember this one."
"Fun put aside though, you know what you have to do. It will cross your path time and time again, as long as you try to deny it." When I looked at him I thought I recognized a familiar smile on his face. "Sorry, I don't think I quite follow what you mean." It really started to get much colder and I wanted to get up to leave.
"Do you remember when I told you to spread your assets, bet on more than one horse in different races? Now listen to me, this has nothing to do with money or gain, it is about happiness. About you being born to live, please understand. It is in front of you, as it always will be. You just have to connect your heart to your mind to be able to see it. And no matter how often you turn away in denial, your path will always be right in front of you."
Not this again, 'though I'm almost getting used to it, it still takes me by surprise every time. "Thanks Dad, I don't get what you mean, but..." When I look to my side again, there's nobody there anymore. Gone, just like that.
Ah well, time to get some stuff for dinner anyway. Probably will forget half the groceries again. It's becoming a bad habit. At least I get out and about enough though. There's an upside to every downside.
While I ride on my bicycle back to the town center I try to figure out what all those words meant. And I start to laugh in the shivery cold while I shout out loud: "Tits, they're everywhere, you see...?"