Merry and bright
We are standing in a rest area on the southbound side of the New York State Thruway somewhere in the Catskill Region. It is Sunday – the last official day of “Christmas” week, a.k.a. the first official day of “New Year’s” week, depending on how you choose to look at it, and it seems everyone has someplace to get to today.
The rest stop is jammed with weary looking travelers – strung out from several days of holiday merriment. Late nights. Perhaps tense moments between visitors and hosts. Too much of everything: sugar, food, alcohol.
And as I know, the drone of highway driving is not helping. Everyone looks like they’ve been through some type of trauma and the line for Starbucks – where my husband is standing – is long and slow-moving.
The restrooms are in the back, there is a small news/convenience store on the right and a string of fast food chains on the left. The coffee line cuts right down the middle.
Most of the people in the rest stop are dressed in dark, winter colors – blacks, grays and navys.
My daughters are the exception to the rule. They are clad head to toe in bright pink and lavender. Peanut’s outfit includes a fuchsia top, a bright pink tulle skirt with silver sparkles, hot pink tights, hot pink leg warmers with silver thread running through them and brand-new pink ballet flats with glitter all over them.
Loaf is dressed in a lavender top and matching – extremely puffy – tulle fairy skirt, hot pink tights with light pink hearts all over them and light pink Mary Jane’s that also sparkle.
I find myself wishing my camera was not packed away in the car under 200 pounds of Christmas gifts.
In the middle of this sea of dreary, they spin like two music box ballerinas. They hop and whirl, burning off energy they’ve accumulated sitting in the car for the last 75 minutes.
They look like two peonies in June, or maybe bookmarked characters from Pinkalicious and Fancy Nancy.
They are, quite frankly, a sight, and my fellow travelers cannot help but notice them.
Some smile. Some point and giggle. Some just watch – blankly – in a sort-of drugged, seven-mile stare, and I’m not sure if they even see them.
My daughters don’t care. They are wearing their new fancy Christmas clothes and regardless of the fact that they stand in a crowded, weary, only moderately clean rest stop in a rural section of New York State – they are filled with joy and life.
I’m happy to see that the holiday spirit has not left them yet, and I hope it hasn’t gone for you either.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
The rest stop is jammed with weary looking travelers – strung out from several days of holiday merriment. Late nights. Perhaps tense moments between visitors and hosts. Too much of everything: sugar, food, alcohol.
And as I know, the drone of highway driving is not helping. Everyone looks like they’ve been through some type of trauma and the line for Starbucks – where my husband is standing – is long and slow-moving.
The restrooms are in the back, there is a small news/convenience store on the right and a string of fast food chains on the left. The coffee line cuts right down the middle.
Most of the people in the rest stop are dressed in dark, winter colors – blacks, grays and navys.
My daughters are the exception to the rule. They are clad head to toe in bright pink and lavender. Peanut’s outfit includes a fuchsia top, a bright pink tulle skirt with silver sparkles, hot pink tights, hot pink leg warmers with silver thread running through them and brand-new pink ballet flats with glitter all over them.
Loaf is dressed in a lavender top and matching – extremely puffy – tulle fairy skirt, hot pink tights with light pink hearts all over them and light pink Mary Jane’s that also sparkle.
I find myself wishing my camera was not packed away in the car under 200 pounds of Christmas gifts.
In the middle of this sea of dreary, they spin like two music box ballerinas. They hop and whirl, burning off energy they’ve accumulated sitting in the car for the last 75 minutes.
They look like two peonies in June, or maybe bookmarked characters from Pinkalicious and Fancy Nancy.
They are, quite frankly, a sight, and my fellow travelers cannot help but notice them.
Some smile. Some point and giggle. Some just watch – blankly – in a sort-of drugged, seven-mile stare, and I’m not sure if they even see them.
My daughters don’t care. They are wearing their new fancy Christmas clothes and regardless of the fact that they stand in a crowded, weary, only moderately clean rest stop in a rural section of New York State – they are filled with joy and life.
I’m happy to see that the holiday spirit has not left them yet, and I hope it hasn’t gone for you either.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
Labels: Holidays
posted by Kimberly at
9:36 PM
4 Comments:
I kind of wanted to wear sparkly skirts to work this week. Not like anyone would see me, but still...
:-)
What a lovely sight to see! Happy New Year.
I think ryssee has the right idea. We should all try to glam it up a bit! Glad you had a nice holiday.
Ah, that made me smile. Thank you for painting the picture for us, even though you couldn't photograph it!
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