The Day Before Monday

Today is July 25, 2021. This is my first post in some time. I have decided to start posting every Sunday or as the title explains “The Day Before Monday”. This title was provided to me by a good friend of mine who has been through some journeys with me.
So as I prepare for the week before me I reflect on the week behind me and the conversations I have had with my friends.

So at 11:19am this morning I receive a call from my friend Ben. The theme of our conversation centered around what message we want to send as it pertains to our lives.

I stated to Ben that I want to represent positive thoughts. I want people to walk away from talking to me feeling that life is bigger than the moment they are in. I explained to him that I will challenge myself to end all of our conversations on a positive note.

Today’s example was how to get people in touch with what inspires them. With this being the theme I explained to Ben that one of my earliest memories came when I was very young probably 2nd or 3rd grade.

I remember a neighborhood community center called “Model Cities” having some kind of neighborhood event that led to me being able to go to the Zoo. I remember my grandmother packing me two Bologna and Cheese sandwiches wrapped in aluminum foil with mustard on them and a can of soda. These details would play a role in my life some 30 something years later. I had a great time and remember just being in awe of the animals I was seeing as they appeared so different in person as opposed to tv.

Fast forward some 30 years and I remember no longer living in a financially challenged neighborhood and not having to pack my lunch however having the desire to go to the Zoo and do just that. I remember taking my then girlfriend to the Cape May Zoo in Cape May New Jersey after eating a nice breakfast on the Bay.

The day would turn out to be a wonderful day with the weather being perfect. The only issue was finding the Zoo as the directions were not clear. I was still in awe of the animals as if I had never saw them before.

Fast forward some five years later and me and my then girlfriend have gone our separate ways for some years now, however that is the one date that we both remember.

The beautiful thing about a trip to the Zoo for me is that it reminds me of how much I appreciated such a small thing when I was growing up in not such a good financial situation and more importantly how the excitement of being there has never changed for me as it is still as exciting. Most importantly I am still the same as I have never changed no matter how positively my financial situation has changed. I am still the boy with the Bologna and Cheese sandwiches.

Oh and as for those Bologna and Cheese sandwiches, I don’t eat beef any more so no Bologna and Cheese sandwiches for me but I have been known to pile the mustard on some turkey and cheese sandwiches wrap them in aluminum foil and go to town on those squashed sandwiches as I watch the peacocks go by.

Have a Great “Day Before Monday” and check out the Zoo if you can.