Diary Of a Truth Seeker March 2066

The early morning dew of Mother nature is ephemeral. The sun rises on its own timing. Never too soon, nor too early. An elderly man strolls merrily along an unbeaten path. Thoughtless though present he sighed with relief. Seeing the bench he always sits atop the summit. Where he’s watched the sun rise for the past fifty years. He chuckles with delight, finally comfortable in his uncomfortable dream.

“Always pleasant when a vision comes from the beloved. I’ll be back in his bosom when I’m called.”

     He sat in silence as the morning chill left in fear. The sun gleamed with warmth filling the void left by the dew. A hollow voice conveyed a potential reality that may unfold in a few hours.

“Your grandson may seek your advice in the oncoming hours. Your wisdom and loving heart will guide him. Discern your words so you may not mislead him.”

     As the tears fell from his eyes. The vision began to fade. The elderly gentleman sat up in the comforts of his bed. Looking with his gentle eyes out his bedroom window. Wiping the tears and sleep from his face. Turning to the love of his life. He smiled, kissing his hand and placing it on her right cheek. Effectively sliding out of bed without waking his beloved. As he’s done for the past forty years. Soundlessly though brisk he strolled out of the bedroom. Down the hall into the bathroom. Handling his business and brushing his teeth. Doing so with his left hand though right handed. Thinking as he’s doing it.

“It definitely improves cognitive ability. Lord knows at my age I need it now more than ever.”

     Chuckling to himself as he goes into the room adjacent to the bedroom. Opening the curtains he takes 10 deep breaths. At the bottom of his yoga mat. He says his prayer.

“In the breath and the bosom of God, my beloved. I will do this yoga.”

     Starting in childs pose. Twice he said he was one and he was whole. Moving to dog and arched dog poses. He spoke again, saying twice. I am love and I am loved. Cycling effortlessly through the remaining poses of his flow. The elderly gentleman smiled as he lost time in shavasana. Reawakening he finished with light calisthenics. Merrily he strolled into the bathroom. Showering and getting ready for the day. Thinking that if his dream manifests and how the day goes could be a good short story. Dressed and refreshed he strolls down stairs. The clock on the wall outside the kitchen read 8:40am. He relished that he had enough time to make breakfast for Angela.

“She gets up around 9:30/ 10. Do we still have cognac? We do! Mio bambina, gets Crepe Suzette for breakfast.(My baby girl)” 

     Starting the coffee maker he pulls her favorite cup and one for himself. Prepares her cup and begins breakfast prep. Humming Dean Martins “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes.” Amidst plating he quickly sets the island. As if it were the dining room table. Then breathes to set himself and sets down the plates. As Angela enters the kitchen. He stirs the cream and sugar into her freshly poured coffee. Still sleepy, his groggy love ignores the coffee and hugs her man nestling in his chest.

“Izzy you still make me float after forty years. Waking up to your cooking will never get old.”

“Gimme some of that morning breath bambina.(baby girl)”

     As they took their seats. Izzy mentioned his reoccurring dream. How Isidor may come by for a visit. Angela smiled as she ate her delectable breakfast.

“It would be nice to see him. He’s so busy with his studies. He barely comes up for air.”

     Izzy thought to himself how his grandson is like he was. Setting his coffee cup down. Placing his left hand next to it. Izzy quietly watched his beloved finish her plate. Feeling his gaze Angela placed her right hand on his left. Rubbing the top of it with her thumb.

“You seem half in half out, babe. Are you writing?”

     Izzy nodded as he took a sip of coffee. Getting to get the pot. Refilling their cups as he cleaned off the island. Humbly Izzy articulated the truth through one voice.

“There’s one stewing around up there. Though I’ve slowed down writing substantially. Only because the process takes a tad longer. Still grateful I can do it.”

      Finally awake, Angela relaxed in chair. Sipping her coffee, inquiring if Izzy still had his column. 

“Diary Of a True Seeker" is still published in the New Rochelle PR. It’s a revolving column, the editors a fanboy.”

     Izzy whisked Angela to her feet. As they started to dance. Izzy whispered she should take her time getting ready for the day.

“At 3 o'clock we got plans, bambina. I’ll clean the kitchen and the front porch while you’re getting ready.”

     Angela gathered all love in her heart and vivaciously glared into Izzy’s eyes. Passionately he kissed her and spun her out of his clutches.

“Don’t stare at me like that. I’m a man with instincts. There’s stuff to do and you have plenty of time to get ready. We got all day for that, mama. Leave me to my labors. I’m already under your spell, bambina. You’re sooo bad.”

     Angela shook her ass as she spun around. Looking back lustrously into Izzy’s eyes. Dropping her robe enough to expose her soft brown shoulder.

“I know.”

     She said as she vanished up the stairs. Izzy attempted to shake off the spell. 

“La minchia, save that energy for later.(The fuck)”

     High in spirit and energy Izzy quickly cleaned the kitchen. Restoring the order permeating the positive energy in the house. Grabbing the broom and dustpan out of the closet. Walking out of the front door he breathed in the fresh air of the spring breeze. Organizing and sweeping the porch. He’s accompanied by Mama. A beautiful chow pitbull mix. Stubborn in her old age she grunts for attention. After handling her business in the rose of sharon. Back on the porch. Mama laid in the shade on her outside bed by Izzy’s chair. Wagging her tail in anticipation of Izzy’s attention. Which he gives along with her favorite treat. Finished with his labors Izzy went to the kitchen. Filled Mama’s water bowl and got a bottle of water. Then he made a cup of chamomile with honey and lemon. Back outside Izzy gave Mama her bowl. 

     Focusing on his breath as the avenue came alive in the early afternoon. Thoughtlessly present Izzy basked in the joy of impermanence. As time began to drift by. A mid 2000’s Honda whipped into the driveway. Ever vigilant Mama began to grumble and wiggled in excitement. Smiling brightly, Izzy rubbed her head.

“ I knew he was gonna come today, Mama.”

     The young man quickly ascended the walkway. Once on the porch he greeted and petted Mama. Who kissed the baby she watched grow up. Standing with the bottle of water. Izzy hugged his grandson, Isidor Martino III. Sitting on the swing Isidor to a swig of the water.

“Where’s Nanna?”

“Getting ready for this afternoon. I’m taking her to Wicked on Broadway. She only knows we’re going out. So keep it under your hat, capisce.(formally understand)”

“Capied Nonno.(Formally understood Grandfather)”

     Sipping his now warm tea. Izzy asked Isidor what brought him out. Isidor began to sway the swing. In a way to settle his rambling mind. Figuring out how to articulate his question accurately. Silently Izzy sipped his tea. Watching his grandson’s conscience and ego wrestling under the rules of discernment. Izzy rephrased his question.

“Chuckle, What’s troubling your mind, tatale?(young papa)[yiddish term of endearment]”

      Sighing in relief Isidor leaned back into the swing. Finally finding the words. To release the confusion that filled his heart.

“How did you know when nanna was the one?”

     Sipping his tea Izzy released a deep breath and opened his heart. Unbeknownst to the trio on the porch. Angela lingered in the doorway. Interjected her perspective wisdom.

“I knew Izzy was gonna be with me, Dori. Way before he realized it. About a week after he moved in across the hall. Back when I lived in Manhattan on the Upper West Side.”

     Walking out onto the porch she kissed Izzy and kissed the forehead of Isidor. Taking the seat next to her grandson. Izzy smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Right Angie we were neighbors on the Upper West Side. Unlike Junior and Gloria. Oh, your dad had a way with women. Like I never did.”

“Really?”

      Angela re-situated to get comfortable. Isidor perked up and inquired about his parents. Anglea conveyed her perspective.

“Your father, Dori, played around. Your mother Gloria was one of a few. He’s got Rodrigo blood in him.”

“Like his Uncle Jose. He was quite the lothario. Until he saw what it did to Gloria. Then he dropped the other’s and you came along shortly after.”

“That’s right, mejo did a 180. When Gloria started to carry you, Dori.”

     Angela smiled pinching Isidor’s blushing cheek. Exasperatingly exhaling Isidor slouches down into the swing.

“But how will I know if Sarah’s like that for me? How do I get a relationship like you and nonni?(grandfather)”

     Anglea kissed his forehead again and rubbed his head.

“Your heart will let you know, Dori.”

“Your nanna gave you the truth just now, tatale. However, love as an attachment is like a garden.”

“What do you mean?”

     Both of them said instinctively. Izzy winked at Angela and slipped another treat to Mama.

“Tatale, indulge me, how do you grow tomatoes?”

     Angela was still consoling Isidor who was as confused as she. Isidor began to articulate how one grows tomatoes.

“But, nonni, what does growing tomatoes have to do with falling in love with the right person?”

“They run parallel, tatale. Plant, cultivate, take care of, tend to & nurture, fuhgetuhboutit. The approach and process are the same. Just different outcomes one yields food or foliage. Whereas the other yields joy, happiness and a sacred hoop.”

     Both Angela and Isidor sat amazed in silence. Izzy petted Mama sipping his tea. Discerning his thoughts for the next thing to say.

“Tatale, I lived next to your nanna, my Angie. For a year and half before we got together.”

“Really!”

“Yes Dori, I knew after a week. We’d occasionally see each other in the morning. When he’d get up early and go running.”

“Tatale, May 10th is our 42ond wedding anniversary. Two weeks from today. That day was the day in 2024 when we started dating. I remember that day like it was yesterday.”

“Really, papi? Please tell me and our grandson what I was wearing?”

     Unphased by the call out. Izzy said it was a blush pink dress that had yellow and white flowers on it.

“It had pockets, tatale, it’s dusibatts to me to this day.(crazy)”

     They all erupted in laughter at Izzy’s confusion. Slipping off her sandals Angela pulled the throw blanket over her and Isidor. Urging Izzy to tell the day as it happened.

“Looking back at the entire day. It was actually three encounters and an epiphany. That led me to discerning what your nanna means to me.”

     Angela with pure intrigue inquired what the encounters were. Isidor himself was touched with wonderment. Encouraged his nonni to devoluge the experience to his wisdom.

“Tatale ed bambina, it was when we met in the hallway in the morning. Then we met that afternoon at Essa Bagel.”

“OHH I had some of your bagel. With umm lox and cream cheese. It’s so good, I believe it was on an everything bagel.”

“Chuckle, it was. I had my epiphany after that. Then we met again at The Met. Having dinner in central park by the John Lennon memorial.”

“What was the epiphany nonni?”

“Si, Izzy what was this epiphany?”

     Izzy smiled at the inquiries. He realized Mama had fallen asleep. He finished his tea and spoke to his loved ones through one voice.

“Babe I did it two years later. Tatale, I realized your nanna was the one on that walk. She had to go back to work though. I figured I’d make a move the next day. I still don’t know why I went to The Met early that evening.”

“I’m glad you did. I love art! I went to The Met every Friday. The building was on Armstrong so it was right through Central Park. The evening picnic was bueno. Dori romance is the way.”

“I found out that night your nanna is fond of Van Gogh. I was meandering around and there she was in front of the self portrait.”

“Really nanna?”

“He was a great post-impressionist, and a hopeless romantic. Don’t divert Izzy you walked right by me.”

“Nonni, you realized she was the one and you blew by her, why?”

“Dori, he told me I had to know if you were aware of your surroundings.”

     Checking his laughter Izzy spoke concisely.

“Tatale, it was a sure fire way to know if she chose me. Never chase if you have faith in flow or divine timing. However, don't choose a woman that doesn’t choose you. I could tell by her tone and the look in her eyes it bothered her. I attempted to ask her about the rest of her day. Given I had seen her on her lunch break. Guessing she was a fan of Van Gogh. I opted for an impromptu picnic. The John Lennon memorial has lights.”

“Also Dori, that's when I found out Izzy can cook. He made Tinga de Pollo rice and beans.”

“What happened after I said that though Angie?”

“Yeah, what happened nanna?”

“I began to show my temper. Izzy didn’t react; he stepped into me. Kissing me in front of God and everybody.”

“That’s right, bambina. Understand tatale it’s a woman’s nature to test a man. That’s why it’s important to discern your purpose. If you're confident in yourself within your purpose. In your case it’ll be Sarah. She will test your truth in that. As will the world will but on a smaller scale. Same with the world tatale, you must meet her test with unconditional love.”