|Written by Sushilove51| Photo on pexels.com |
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
– Wayne Gretsky
*Staring out a window with bulletproof glass I have a flashback*
A twenty-year old me. Ten-pounds lighter. Ten-times more curious. Facial expression wore the twinkle of a kid at Disney Land.
Today marked a full year in the military. A reason for celebration. However, we would have celebrated anyways. Just be out and about. To live abroad you begin to realize how free you are. When the locals join your company for fun. Come all who are weary. Let’s dance like you do when no ones around.
On Friday nights we were always out past the twilight hours. The usual company of Rodgers, Reyes and some friends from the Medical squadron. One of which couldn’t hold there alcohol this night and had to call it in early.
I remember the Sake Bombs…the vomit…the slip on the steps…the Emergency phone call.
We had to part ways from our friends at the Medical squadron. Twenty minutes later.
We got a text that read:
“Everything’s okay. the night was fun. see you next week”
Young and resilient. It was routine we still had our lessons to learn. Driving towards the base. We were currently in a part of the country we’ve never strayed. Yet no fear had been felt. I was comfortable as if I cruised through my home town. Japan’s atmosphere makes you feel like everything’s under control.
The party had ended. But, our heads still looped the music we heard during the night. As Rodgers drove down the dark road. We were heading into my favorite time of day. When the sun starts to rise. Emotions start to lava out. For some odd reason this time period always does. I can’t it explain it. I just take advice from The Beatles and “Let it be”.
But if I could take a stab at the feeling. It’s comparable to accomplishing a feat. There’s a sense of satisfaction from making it to see the morning. No matter what may have happened prior good or bad has been washed away. Naturally, the world freshens up. Or I may have watched too many vampire movies. Where the sun rising signals that you’ve survived the night.
Rodgers drove and was adamant on not letting people smoke in his car. He saw all the commercials about second hand smoking as a kid and developed a phobia about it. He acted as if he would die instantly once the smoke touched him. I didn’t want to be rude. I didn’t mind stepping outside for a smoke.
We were approaching a Lawson’s and I could go for a coffee to compliment my cigarette. The best part about Japan is the consistency of each town. Everything looks familiar even if you’re somewhere far away. Lawson’s is a convenience store and it lives up to the word convenience. They built them wherever you’d want one.
In a moments notice we pulled up. Out of courtesy I added to my shopping list some rice balls. Salmon Filling, and gave them to my buddies in the car as they waited. He grabbed them and enjoyed. I walked over to the smoke pit outside the store. And so does a girl.
Her eyes and mine meet. Give each other a nod but we never converse. My Japanese wasn’t good enough at the time to carry a conversation. Also my energy was too low. Even with the coffee. So instead we stand there. Each enjoying our cigarettes. The time is 0410 and there the sun rises more.
The brighter it gets the prettier she looks. She has that delicate look. Style with her modern chic. She could be beautiful in any era. In any life. In any universe. She finishes her cigarette and heads to towards her car. Looks at me again and gives a little bow good bye. I wave back bye.
Someone else is in her car waiting for her almost exactly like my friends are. I get back to Rodger’s car. He looks at me and says.
“Not one word, You didn’t say hi to her?”
“Nope”
“You two where best of friends last weekend”
*I did know her*
At the parade. That’s the same girl. We were drank heavy that night. Celebrating a festival. Us together looked like the beginning of something special. The appearance was wrong. We never reached our potential. That night was only a moment. Still I ask myself if it was too late? She’s away now but it’s okay. I learned to remember It’s meant to be. Roses will bloom.
We stood at the same spot and I couldn’t remember her. It’s like my memory was erased. I wish we could be together like that night. Alcohol can make the night more fun at the risk of forgetting what happened.
Lovely memories and photo.
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thank u ladyfi. such a kind thing to say
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Interesting story, times of being young and making choices. Yeah, if it’s meant to be, the roses will bloom. 🙂
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Thx. It came to me while I was driving. Randomly during the same hour.
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Just a heads up: You’re a good writer. That means you’re very creative. If you also test as very intelligent you’re likely a bit Asperger’s. It has a list of astonishingly counterintuitive symptoms, one of which is a truly amazing intermittent inability to recognize even very familiar faces.
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appreciate that. but, I don’t think I’m good. I know I like to write. and I like this platform. Because I always end up throwing away the words I put on napkins.
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Keep on saying you don’t think you’re good and, guaranteed, you will live down to those stated expectations. First lesson for a writer: words have power.
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Lesson Learned. I guess it’s time for me to change my tune. I do believe in the power of words. I’m going to keep working on improving my writing and get better.
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Better already! 😊
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Wonderful sharing.
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thank u. Im enjoying this. such a friendly community.
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My pleasure. :))
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Interesting, insightful final sentence.
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thank u. made me read it again ( :
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Your write-ups in your blog are really very inspiring and motivating. I nominate you for the BLOGGERS RECOGNITION AWARD-2018.
Kindly go through the details in my blog: http://emulateme.wordspress.com.
Thanks and regards
HARBANS
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wow thats encouraging. i appreciate this message!
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Thanks.
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That was pretty good. It’s always nice to be reminded that once upon a time I had a youth also, and had something similar happen.
There was a girl in college. her and I were good friends. Climbed mountains, Hiked, all that neat stuff. She managed to get herself killed in a traffic accident.
Biggest changes. I climb different kinds of mountains these days. I still like hiking. Just don’t have the time to do anything too serious.
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I always wondered why our minds held on to certain memories and let go of others. Recently, I’ve been thinking the reason is there is more to it sort of unfinished business.
See moments like that girl you went to college with. If she was still here. The adventures you had when it was just you and her. I bet if or when you went hiking recently. You remembered her or what she said and smiled about it. And in a way she still lives on.
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maybe, the hills and mountains that you climbed with her. Is still with you as you face the challenges you have in front of you today. planting flags.
Your a cool guy thanks for stopping by.
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Such an amazingly detailed post. I want to go to Japan someday. The closest i have come is Hong Kong.
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hey Dourdan, Hong Kong is on the bucket list. Must have had a great time out there. I think You would love Japan the vibe is very peaceful ^-^
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I travelled to Japan with your words. I’d buy your book. You are good.
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thank you. I appreciate your encouragement. I wish I would have started years ago ^_^ hearing from kind people like you!
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Yes, you are a good writer. Words do have power so start talking yourself up not down even when you y just talking to yourself.
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wow, i appreciate this alot!
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it’s people like you with the encouragement that can help jumpstart the drive in writers such as myself.
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Lovely pictures 💥
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your the best! thank u
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Ow no thank you 😊 for sharing such awesome moments.
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your welcome. it’s cool of you to show your support.
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Interesting look at modern-day Japan. I see something universal here. What you’re narrating could be any group of soldiers anywhere at a popular night spot.
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Hello Alan, Thanks for your comment and observation. Yes, something funny happens when a base in put overseas. Best exchange program ever.
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This is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing (:
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Your forever welcome!
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I loved this story! There are some moments that stay with us forever and this story reminded me of just that. 🙂
Although I have not been to Japan (has been on my to-list forever) but your writing transported me to the little towns here. 🙂
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Yeah, I find that part of our memories interesting. Where when we are somewhere driving or moving and we experience something. It’s like we get transported to the memory or a dream. I get lost in these thoughts some times.
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I second that. I remember reading somewhere that the mind travels fastest and isn’t that really true. Sitting on a chair we reach Jupiter 🙂
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parikhitdutta I truly hope you get to go where ever you want in the world. I thank you for your friendly comments.
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The pleasure is all mine 🙂
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kind soul
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Growing up in the military, we were posted most often in the Orient…Your words summon memories of these many places — Taiwan, Okinawa, Hong Kong, the Philippines — some visited by convenience of their proximity to return flights…My parents probably thought us too immature to notice young soldiers cutting loose, exploring… But we did. And I think it remains the best experience of our military overseas to tentatively test the social waters, learning where we fit internationally, what is valuable about the people in other countries, and how important it is to realize while there we are both symbols and ambassadors of our own country…and like our own memories of them, those people will carry their encounters with us through their own adulthoods, memories that will influence foreign relations for years. You are a fine writer, by the way…
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Thanks for sharing KC. I would love to hear more about your experiences overseas. If there’s one thing I notice about the areas near bases is that there is a special cultural exchange that happens. I can’t put a finger on it but it’s beautiful to be a part of. I agree with you that this was the best part of being overseas like you said testing the social waters. In the moment it feels like an unexplored world. Thank you for the compliment. Your writing is nice to read as well!
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