A Parallel Paralax of a Paradox
Submitted by Thumb on March 20 1999 at 22:17:05
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Hi. I realize it's been too long since my last post. At least I feel that way, I feel as if I've deprived myself of something - and yet I haven't. That's the amazing thing about CBF, and other postboards, you can always find the place where you left off, and follow the thread of posts to the current position. That way we'll never miss a shared moment or thought, that may well come to our aid and even entertain us. I'm happy to have something to share with you, and here it is ... A Day Spent in the Swan's-Down Well over three weeks ago, my little friend got sick. It came as no surprise to me, even though he is generally a very healthy little boy. The reason he got sick was simply that he had been doing a lot of things over a course of not as many days, and he lacked sleep. It wasn't too serious though: a fever, and little symptoms that resembled the flu. It meant he had to miss a day or two at school, but I don't think he minded much. He had been very busy the week before, and experienced things he had never experienced before. A director visited his school in search of a boy to appear in an Oreo commercial, and had asked for boys around the age of eight or nine to interview. He was on the look for a boy that possessed charming exuberance, or a certain skill that was essential for the commercial. Luckily for my little friend, he possessed both. So, he got the job. They shot the two minute commercial in three days, due to the fact that the officials at my friend's school were not willing to give him a day off to do the commercial, and to the fact that the cameraman was working on five different jobs at the same time. So, they filmed it late in the afternoon of all three days, and the location was about an hour and a half away from where we live. His mom decided that this would be fun for my friend to do, as he has been carrying the acting bug ever since I introduced him to the art, a year ago. If driving up there and back meant that he would have to go to bed late every day for seventy-two hours, that was okay. As long as he enjoyed appearing in the commercial. I like the way his mom thinks. They even invited me to come along with them and watch the process. I accepted, but was unable to be present the first day of shooting. My friend had so much fun doing the commercial, and seeing all the technical stuff and how they made it - I must confess that I was equally excited about being there. It's a lot of fun being "on location", as they call it, and seeing how movie magic is made. But probably what was more important to me, was to see him so happy that he was actually glowing. It was indeed a lot of fun. But shortly after, he got sick and spent some time in bed. The whole time he was sick, I would go over to their house every night, and visit him. This is something I would not have done, had I not babysat him for his mom a while ago, and spent the whole night there. I felt as if I was suddenly welcome to stop by whenever I wanted to. And I did, and read to him by his bedside every night of his illness. Every time I went over, his mom would tell me how glad she was to see me, and how much her son would appreciate it. And I would go into his room, where he lay in his bed in his jammies, and I would talk to him and joke around, and finally ask him what book he would want me to read that evening. I know mine being there made him feel good, it was so obvious and so clear in his eyes, and I guess that when it comes down to it, I was the most important medicine for him. And he had a fast recovery. The last night, before he returned to school, I was coming out of his room and bidding his mom a farewell and a good night, when she asked me if I had time to come into the kithcen and talk to her a little bit. I hinted at having all the time in the world, and sat down with her. She began by asking me some general questions concerning how I was doing, how my parents were, what school was like, that kind of stuff. But then she said something that meant the world to me, and hearing it made me feel as if I was someone very special. She said: "I just want to thank you for what you're doing. I really appreciate you being such a good friend to him. Not a day goes by that he doesn't mention you, he's so proud of being your friend. 'Cause I'm not sure if you realize, but he looks up to you and in a way I think you've become the older brother he never had. You really mean a lot to him, and what you've done for him means a lot to me." I was dumb for a minute, completely speechless. I felt incredible. I was so touched to hear that, and it warmed my heart in a weird kind of way. I tried my best to hide my rollercoaster ride of feelings, put on a simple smile, and replied: "You're so very welcome. He means a lot to me too." On my way back, I couldn't help laughing - I was ecstatic, filled with a joyous mix of pride and relief. And I knew, that from now on I could go over and visit him whenever I wanted to - and his mom would actually be happy to see me, his artificial big brother. Warm regards, Thumb "By looking in his eyes, Will I see beyond tomorrow? "By looking in his eyes, Will I see beyond the sorrow That I feel? "Now I realize "Everything worth living for Is there, in his eyes!" |