Eternity-not tan enough, thin enough

John

Looks out the window at an empty, Winter beach.

You couldn’t be thin enough or tan enough. The truth is you couldn’t be young enough to join us on the beach that day. The stars of the beach volley ball gang were crushing it…stretching flat abs…reaching up with smooth arms to spike that ball into the clear blue sky and over the net.  Now and then they laughed with you…and about you and the tanning salon. All across the main land bridge where people grow up.

As a writer, I of course, was above all that. I was just there to set the scene…the summer on the beach in Seaside Heights NJ  A youthful town dedicated to fun - celebrating its 100^th year. Devoted to fun…and making fun…and making fun of-the Jersey Shore is all that. Endless making fun in Funtown.

Yet, if there is ever an illusion that things stay pretty; the winter storms sand-blast that notion away every year. Peeling paint off the brightly colored wooden buildings and shattering signs, the assault makes everything look aged by February.

Still in Spring, there is always the sound of hammers. People fighting for their summer lives.  This year the job is even bigger after Super Storm Sandy. A storm that brought out the worst in nature and the best in human nature. From celebrities raising money to regular people raising up shovels to clear streets  and dumping their Christmas trees on the beach to build new sand dunes. Futility against the inevitable destruction and yet inspiring to see another endless summer take shape.

We always think it takes people to create an eternal summer. But as I look out over the endless Atlantic, I think eternity has nothing to do with us. Might be why we need God to get it. (Oh yes I did.)

Back to you….you couldn’t be thin or tan enough. And I couldn’t paint you ugly enough. That’s what I did with my limited time…what we do with our limited time .

Speaking of limited time… Our time is all about fame. I saw you made it to the Red Carpet in Hollywwod…that’s big…or not at all.