Lose Yourself (?)

It's more simple than Snackin' Cake to get lost, here. Now, when I say "lost", I certainly don't mean "to wander, lost, not knowing where you are." There is one main road on this lovely isle; it travels its circular path and kindly deposits me where I need to go. It is forgiving and cheerful in its ease.

But living here can make you forgetful. The sun and sand envelop you, the cold drinks soothe you, and the waves and pace of daily life lull you into a state of everyday comfort. It is easy to forget.

It is easy to forget the need for socks and slippers, the road rage, the bustle; put out of mind are the lineups and schedules and handwashing of winter sweaters. Simplicity, the "back to the basics" attitude, and nonchalant shrugs and smiles lead the way.

It is, however, occasionally too easy to forget. Who you are -- who you WERE -- can begin to seem like a whole other person. The change is not a quick one; it happens over time, as the edges start to blur and the contained liquid drips and spills into something else. Sometimes the differences are happy ones, but to change completely is to become lost, afterall. To lose a part of oneself is to deteriorate, and that is one of the saddest mistakes of all.

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, there was a Little girl who lived in a fabled village by a cold, northern, sandy shore. Every day, the girl would travel far north of her own village to earn money to live. She would cart her wares and wits with her each day, and she would pour her goods and ideas and knowledge into the minds of others, hoping to fill them and make a difference in their lives.

After years of long treks and harsh conditions, the girl became weary and, although she had friends and family she loved, she began to grow unhappy. She longed for a change from her routines; she longed for new shores and hungrier minds and warmer climes. She parted tearfully from all her loved ones and set off with two small bags in search of a new life.

Her journey brought her to a new and sparkling kingdom of saints. Her awe was great upon her arrival, but in time, she grew to become more accustomed to her new lifestyle. She played, childlike, in the warm waters; she was mesmerized by night stars she had never seen before; she squealed at the hot sand between her toes. Her joy, upon waking each morn, never diminished.

The Little girl often longed to see those who had once been close to her, but she was able to keep in contact with them through the kingdom's messenger. She knew they were happy for her and that they kept her in their hearts, as she kept them near her own.

She understood that this change was key to her own happiness. The days stretched out before her. Backlit by the sun's soothing rays, she smiled at her own shadow. She knew she would have stories to tell.