You’d be amazed at the power that having one fine day can have on the human psyche.
Or maybe you wouldn’t, considering where we are in the world right now.
I was fortunate enough to have such a day this past weekend. You know the kind I’m talking about; a period of 12 hours or so where everything just happens to hit on all the right cylinders, everyone’s in a good mood, and you can sit and reflect on the time you just spent with a smile on your face.
Friday was kind of a wash, or maybe I should say it blew because the wind on that day was absolute insanity. Coupled with the grey, drab skies and the limited rainfall we got, and it just made for a so-so kinda day.
Saturday was just one of those lazy days, and we all have them. You don’t do much, it’s not worth going outside, and you spend the day catching up on TV shows sitting in your DVR or trying to burn through a sizable number of pages in that book you’re reading. Not exciting, not memorable, but not a bad day either.
I’d say the highlight of Saturday was watching a favorite film of mine: the Alfred Hitchcock classic, ‘Rear Window’. What’s not to love about it? A photographer with a broken leg spends his days looking out his window (the rear one, I presume?) at his neighbors and ends up embroiled in a murder mystery plot. Uh oh, did I just describe the movie or how I spend my other weekends?
But Sunday? Man, Sunday was just the perfect mix. All the right ingredients came together in just the right order, and the final result was one of the best days I’ve ever had; certainly the best one I’ve had since a virus took the world in its unrelenting grip more than two months ago. Allow me to share…
I wake up early. Well, earlier than usual. I shower, I change, I grab my camera, I wish Ma a Happy Mother’s Day, and I cruise over to Outlook.
Something very cool, very unique, and very needed right now is happening over in town. A parade. Yes, a parade. Yes, at this time in our world. A parade that respects all that physical distancing riff-raff, but a parade nonetheless.
I remember having a similar idea a month ago, but with work and daily duties keeping a fellow busy, this kind of thing has a way of sliding over to the back burner. Luckily, some other like-minded individual has decided to spearhead this thing, which will start in front of the Pioneer Home long-term care facility. From there, this shindig is headed over to the Golden Acres and Luther Place residences, and along the way, all of Outlook is invited to look out their windows and check it out.
I pull into a parking space and see vehicles start to show up. Just about 15 minutes or so to go until 10:30. Staff have brought residents outside in the warm, inviting morning air to take in the festivities. They really deserve this. All of Outlook’s more vulnerable and lonely citizens do right now.
Parade time. Here they come. Vehicles decorated with bows and ribbons, some even have pictures of their moms. One SUV sees a young male poke his head out the window to say hello to his grandfather; a melancholy moment when you realize this is the closest the two can be at this time in our lives. More vehicles roll past, smiling and waving faces making this a great day for all whose witnessing this. Oh look, there’s our office mascot Weiss, possibly the only participant in this to have four legs and a tail!
The parade comes to an end and it’s already a cherished memory for all. I drive home, I edit the video footage I captured, and within minutes of being posted to social media, it’s a certified hit. I love being able to capture life’s special moments like this, it’s a responsibility and a privilege that I don’t take lightly.
I start to prep supper for that evening. On the menu is grilled steak, oven roasted baby potatoes tossed in garlic and dill, and asparagus sprinkled with sea salt. The steaks come out pretty good, as does everything else.
We’re afforded a visit by my brother and his girlfriend, who land in just in time for supper. Wow, other human beings in the house; what a concept. The conversation is light, but appreciated. The visit goes very well. Soon it’s dark out, and the day is done.
I sit back and smile. It all just blended together so well.
One fine day, indeed.
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
