Dear Ricardo: Winter is Coming.

Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s letters in Dear Theo, I write letters to my future self about everyday life and events.

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January 12, 2018

 

Dear Ricardo,

 

I love Saturday mornings. They’re brilliant aren’t they? I think it’s my favorite time of the week. I eat my same breakfast, of course: blueberry oatmeal and eggs. But when I drink my coffee, I feel more relaxed than most days.

 

There’s much more activity outside my window than during the week. I don’t find it distracting though. In fact, I find more energy from it. Smiling parents guide their playful young children pass my apartment. Couples hold each other—sometimes showing too much PDA— and whisper to each other with glee. Only happy vibes exist on Saturday mornings, whether it’s sunny or cloudy. The possibilities are boundless.

 

But I would rather not spend it going to brunch or watching sports, like many peers of mine. My idea of fun is to be with myself to think and explore ideas. I want to take advantage of the window of positivity, and I’m not willing to give that up. All other days, I could care less. Does that make me selfish? I’m pretty sure that’s why I don’t have a girlfriend, hey? I’m sure that’s changed, right? Maybe?

 

I have more responsibilities than a kid, but always remember to think like one.

 

So the other day I was at the hospital to get clarification on my physical therapy bill. When I walked out, a teenager—probably around fourteen years old—slowly rode his bike to catch up with his friend ahead. He wore a black coat with a fur-laced hood. Our paths met, and we had an exchange.

 

“Sir, do you have a dollar you could possibly give me?” he said.

 

I smiled and answered, “Nah. Do you want to pay my medical bill though? It’s eight hundred dollars.” I held up the large white envelope in my hand.

 

“Dang! I’m glad I’m still a kid!” He threw his head back and laughed.

 

“That’s a good thing! You’ll get plenty of these later,” I replied.

 

I thought it was hilarious. It was so brief, but it made my day. I couldn’t stop smiling after that.

 

I’m sure your medical bills are way higher than $800. I’m pretty fortunate that my only health issue was a bum knee this year. It was still kind of bad after physical therapy—I need to take things more seriously and be more disciplined. However, it was during the time I was writing Homeless but Human. Anything besides writing was an annoyance to me. Later, I found an eight minute video on Youtube that showed exercises to fix my problem. That’s kind of funny, right? I could’ve saved a lot of energy and money had I done that originally. You live and learn though! Don’t worry, I’ll try to be more proactive moving forward for your sake.

 

Winter is here.

 

It’s gotten real cold lately… and I got three more months of this. I don’t like it. If I don’t bundle up in layers, the cold shocks my body as soon as I walk out the door. And I can never find my gloves either! Where do they go after I set them down? They are creatures of their own. Each time, I spend ten minutes rummaging through my apartment looking for them! Oh, the trials I endure, Ricardo.

 

Confronting the cold has become so much of a psychological battle within me that I decided I’m going to become a snowbird. The 2014 winter implanted the idea in my mind. I think everyone in Chicago thought about becoming a snowbird after that. What I remember most about the Polar Vortex, though, was our Airbnb guest, Michela, visiting from Sardinia, Italy. I had never heard of that place before. It’s an island in the Mediterranean Sea. I bet you’ve visited her a number of times already. Maybe that’s one of your snowbird destinations!

 

During the two weeks she stayed with us, the temperature didn’t rise above twenty degrees. But she loved it. She’d never seen snow before. She’d be out on our porch in the backyard recording squirrels playing in the snow! She’d never seen squirrels before either. We had fun together throwing boiling water into the frozen air. It’d evaporate before hitting the ground. Her enthusiasm was contagious. It was beautiful.

 

Anyways, I have things to do. Talk to you later.

 

Do you journal? What have you found to be the most effective for you?