the indelible stain

Camping was wonderful. A brief interlude. A beautiful place.

My friend and i had many long conversations by the campfire, worked pioneer woman style through the day. Cooking on an open fire, washing dishes barefoot in the surf, feeding the kids and sending them to play. To find adventures. To build driftwood forts and barter crab shells and eagle feathers.

I forgot about my worries. Feeling them slowly drift away over the two hour drive. My friend taught me to stand in the surf. Let the waves bring in all your hopes and dreams washing them over dirty toes and carry out all the bad stuff. Gone, out to sea.

I returned home to a new job. My first job in ten years. A waitress at a local winery bistro. I worked exhausting and exhilarating ten hour shifts. Working a wedding in the orchard and reception by the trout pond. People so happy, so in love.

I came home late in the night. Bright eyed and alive. Happy to be doing something for me. Something so simple. Something so easy. How could it make me so happy. I wish i had done this years ago.

Posted by Jess at 11:43 AM Permalink

Comments (11)

Luciana

I am happy for you, Jess. But I am even happier for you feeling happy about yourself!

Posted by Luciana | August 12, 2007 01:26 PM

Summer

last year I got a job waiting tables after several years working from home/mothering and I truly did enjoy it. I'm glad you're doing this.

Posted by Summer | August 12, 2007 01:50 PM

nailgirl

good for you!

Posted by nailgirl | August 12, 2007 03:36 PM

mamatulip

Jess, this is such a positive post from you! It makes me smile.

Posted by mamatulip | August 12, 2007 05:22 PM

IlluManu

I love this post. I have been lurking here for quite some time, always scared to comment because what you were saying was too close to what I've been feeling. And again it's like we're living parallel lives; I recently went back to work and it has been so wonderful to be doing something for me again, something where I'm surrounded by adults for many hours of the day and I get to be ME... what I'm trying to say is that this post made me cry tears of happiness for the both of us. Thank you.

Posted by IlluManu | August 12, 2007 05:38 PM

Jessica

Big grins here on this end. So happy to hear the trip went well, and work is so great. It's the simple things Jess, the ones we overlook because they seem so trivial, but they make all the difference.

Hugs to you,

Jess

Posted by Jessica | August 12, 2007 06:45 PM

Renee

Good for you, Jess. I can tell by your description how much you're enjoying your job. That's great news.

Posted by Renee | August 12, 2007 08:57 PM

OMSH

that is a powerful video.

I don't think I could ever give up my work. I need it. I love feeling valuable. I love working hard at something and then sitting back and looking at it.

I'm so happy your time away was so meaningful. I'm glad you're return home has been good as well.

Posted by OMSH | August 12, 2007 09:20 PM

leahpeah

yay for you! jobs are good for all kinds of reasons, the most important being making you feel good. (yay!!)

Posted by leahpeah | August 12, 2007 09:24 PM

marian

I love that post secret video. Very glad to hear you're getting out and working. It's so helpful to just do something different -- to shake it up, reorder your thoughts and get them out of their usual track. Especially doing something around people who are generally in a good mood. Happy for you, Jess.

Posted by marian | August 13, 2007 05:30 AM

wordgirl

Work makes me happy too, Jess.

Posted by wordgirl | August 13, 2007 07:04 AM