Just PICTURE Paradise

If you have been following my blog, then you know I fell into a format of sorts where I share a personal story and then it sequels to a relevant 9-1-1 call. In the past few weeks, I have had time to write and I stacked up a few posts to be consistent. The only problem with this is the fact that the posts all had some sort of sad tune to them. Although I know you all appreciate the reality of my 9-1-1 world, I just feel like some hope is something I should share. Today's post was inspired by a twitter conversation with my twitter friend @SaraJaneKehler. Check her out at www.Saralivingfree.com  I know it may sound weird to have a friend you have never met in person but I have some really supportive people in the twitterverse. This is especially so now that practically the entire world has been practicing some sort of social distancing. The World Wide Web has created some great platforms for nurturing new friendships. The writing community on twitter has a really good support system for people like me who are venturing out into the world with their passion for storytelling.

 When I began this job, I was really behind financially. A little over a year in and I was still trying to catch up and I found this apartment I wanted to rent. The problem was at the time the owners wanted a USD 2500 deposit that I did not have and they wanted USD 1200 a month.1200 was above my comfort zone and I was honest about it. The apartment was really perfect and I was sad about not being able to rent it. I eventually got a phone call from the owners and they asked me what my plans were for a place to stay since I was looking. I told them I would just find a place on "Apartment Row" in an adjacent city for 925 a month. After a discussion and another phone call, they said they noticed I had a good government job and would like to offer the place at 925. I took it but told them I would not be able to move in on the first as I would not have the 2500 until the 15th. It was a total fib. I started to think of what I could do to get the money together without borrowing.  

At work, a colleague needed some coverage for some days but didn't want to use vacation time, instead she agreed to pay cash for the days she needed covered.    I agreed to work multiple days throughout the year since I knew I would need the extra cash to catch up. I also had this new rent payment and needed items for my place. I never thought she would give me a lump sum before working the days, but that was exactly what she did. So the lump sum plus what I had left in my bank account paid for my deposit.

After my deposit was paid it was going to be a long stretch until the next payday since all my regular bills were due and I had to pay all the deposits at the apartment to get electricity and gas turned on. There I was happy in my empty place with my mattress on the floor, just grateful to have a place of my own which I could call home.

I had a few necessities but not all. I needed some cleaning supplies and a pot to cook in so I headed to 99 Cents only store and then to the Goodwill second hand store. At the 99 Cents only store, I found a glass that had happy faces all over it.    It just made me happy and although it was not in my budget even at 99 cents, I bought it because I've always been one to put my happiness above all. Once I arrived at the Goodwill store, I grabbed the pot I needed and as I was headed to the register I found the most amazing picture. It was a framed picture of a white sand beach. Many people would call it a beach paradise. I had exactly enough money for the picture but not both the picture and the pot. I had to make choice. The choice was the picture and again my happiness won. I went home and hung it in my bathroom above my tub. It was my personal vision board and I just absolutely knew that every day I would look at the picture and be happy to dream about going to that beach one day. 

My beach paradise above hangs above
 my bathtub

As time went on, I would often think about making it to the beach in the picture. One day, my friends called me and said they had a surprise for me. They made a deposit for them and me to go on a cruise. Everyone knows I am the vacation planner, so for me to sit back and let them plan it all was something huge. Honestly, I put no effort in even discussing the planning because I had a feeling they would all flake before it was time to go. I have planned so many trips which ended up with me going solo so I was used to the disappointment of them not going. Time went on and everyone kept up with their deposits and we eventually set sail.

Days in on the cruise, our next destination was a small Bahamian island called Half Moon Cay. It's owned by the cruise lines so it's one hundred percent private and the only way there, is by boat. There isn't even a dock for the cruise ship; it drops anchor in the middle of the ocean and boats transport people to and from the ship. As the ship got closer to land, all I could do was cry. What was in front of me was the picture in my bathroom. It looked identical! Here I am in my swimsuit boohooing and my friends don't understand what is going on. Through my mumbling tears, I tell them I will explain later. Seeing the replica of my bathroom picture was just reinforcement that dreams do come true! I was touched by my experience I even wrote a poem about it.

Just Picture Paradise

Once upon a time I was down and out.

Broke and bare and wanted to pout.

I went to the Goodwill and didn't have much money,

but I was in my new apartment with no plates and pans

and I needed some things so I wouldn't have to eat with my hands.

I walked past this really great picture,

of a beach with all white sand.

I stood and stared at the picture and said one day

I wanna lay in that blue water and enjoy the breeze.

I needed inspiration because I didn't have a lot.

Only had money to buy the picture or the pot.

 

I chose the picture instead.

I knew if I bought the picture I would dream about it much.

And one day I would have lots of good luck.

One day when things in my life were a lot better,

I sailed on the ocean blue and went far far away.

Then we approached the dock and there was Half Moon Cay.

 

I recognized this place at sight.

I knew it because I had seen it every day.

The picture I bought at the goodwill

really did give me some goodwill in a major way.

It kept me thinking about the day I would be able to go to paradise and lay.

From that day on I knew that dreams come true

as I laid in the sand and swam in the beautiful ocean blue

My happy place

And yes, the picture still hangs over my bathtub as a reminder to keep dreaming. So, as we are going through these difficult times due to the pandemic and war on social injustice I want you all to visualize a better future. It may not happen overnight but one thing I can tell you is that it will happen perfectly when the time is right.

All smiles in the beautiful blue sea