In one of the towns that I grew up, there was this café called Hyjostix. I was sixteen at the time and my brother and I would frequent Hyjostix every time we wanted a evening out. Yes, I actually got along with my brother and very rarely were we seen without one another. I was known quite simply as, “Joel’s sister” because Joel was, and still is, so fetching and charismatic. My brother’s philosophical demeanor and Jesus looks stole a kind of attention like that of a prophet in our little town of Prescott. To sum it up, I suppose I could just say that it was easy to imagine my brother standing with arms outstretched, a heavenly light streaming in from behind him at any moment. I, on the other hand, was not recognizable without him. I would have to say to new acquaintances, “I am Joel’s sister” in order to be explained properly; but somehow that did not bother me so much.
With nothing left to do one day in the summer, Joel and I decided to hop on over to Hyjostix for a cup of coffee and conversation. Every now-and-then one of our friends, Leroy, would be there. Despite such an ordinary name, Leroy was a kind of prophet himself. He lived out of a van and harvested seasonal herbs like sage bundles for a living. This man was so intuitive that he could look at your tongue and know what you had for lunch that day, what might be ailing you, as well as know its antidote. Little did Joel and I know that it was that summers’ day that he would give us glimpses of our own separate futures. Leroy sat down with my brother on the outside porch of Hyjostix and said in his “hey man” sort of way that Joel would be a kind of wise man who people would seek out from far and wide for advise. He would be an important man and would impact the world with his reflective and insightful thoughts. All would be inspired by him. I stood captured by what old man had said to my brother. Would it come true? I had no doubt that it would and couldn’t wait to hear what Leroy might tell me about my mysterious future. Would I be just as wise and significant as my brother? Would people drive for hours to hear my poignant advise? My imagination tried not to attach to anything in particular so that I would not be let down if I was not as exciting as my brother. So I nervously waited for Leroy to finish and tell me my fortune. After a few minutes of Leroy’s insights for my brother, he looked up at my expectant eyes and smiled. After a few minutes he got up and grabbed both my shoulders saying, “well as for you babe; you’ll just dance through life.”
Well, Leroy’s prediction for my future was not as earth shaking or brain teasing as my brothers, but I was just as satisfied with those few words as with a half-hour conversation. I will remember the experience to this day because between the kitchen and the dance-floor my life has been spread out before my feet, and I prefer life that way. I met my husband salsa dancing and many of my happiest memories are from the days I have had dancing or cooking with my family and friends. All of the important conversations in my family happen in the kitchen and wine, food, and dance have punctuated my life since then the first day I could remember. It would only be natural for it all to keep on going, just like that.
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