Sunday, June 28, 2009

Can I touch yow puppy? (Pinot Gris)

I was just reminded of a well-known quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” An easy few words to ponder over a glass of 2002 Pinot Gris from Lake Chelan Winery http://www.lakechelanwinery.com/. Refreshing in the flavors of pear and citrus, and if I close my eyes I can almost taste that hint of oak. Or maybe I’m just imagining the oak. Well, refreshing nonetheless.


Walking along the beach yesterday I saw a Hispanic couple with their little boy. His age I suspect was about five. He was adorable with big brown eyes that radiated tangible vibes of joy. I watched him peel off from the safety of his parents and zig zag around people like a heat-seeking missile towards an older man who was walking his Jack Russell Terrier in the opposite direction. The little boy’s eyes never strayed from their target, as if by sheer will they could get that fellow (and more importantly his dog) to stop in their tracks. He boldly reached the fellow’s side and asked in a tone of youthful excitement, hopefulness, and expectancy, “Can I touch yow puppy?” The fellow looked down, their eyes finally meeting, and picked up his puppy so the little boy could touch it. That adorable little boy could barely contain his excitement, as if after a long voyage his ship had finally landed on Treasure Island.

The scenario made such an impression, as these often do, because as a kid I was in a poorly functioning environment and most boldness and adventure I felt stayed bottled up inside of me. Rarely did I ask for something with this little boy’s level of expectancy and hopefulness, as if his question was a mere formality, a required polite gesture to be extended before his request was granted. I LOVE seeing that and in my mind I cheered that little boy on and sent my thought for him out into the cosmos … Let him remain bold, hopeful, and expectant through his entire life. Protect his heart, his mind, and his spirit from those who will inevitably try to make him weaker. Let his Joy be contagious and let everyone he comes in contact with be positively affected by it. I was a much older kid before I popped the cork on my inner bottle and began to free myself.

That little boy’s joy was the source of my smile, and his smile was the source of the puppy owner’s joy. The puppy was JOY JOY JOY.

I raise my glass and toast Joy and Youth! MMM, a nice pear finish in this delightful quaffing wine.

1 comment:

  1. What a treat to see the ship "Quaffing Wine" christened and launch with such panache!
    All that cosmic Joy in one little bottle of wine. Wow!

    ReplyDelete