Sunday, April 05, 2009

In a commercial promoting tourisim in Michigan, of all things, a syrupy male voice says something about how easy it is to be yourself with people you don't know.

The simple truth of that has stayed with me for days now. With family and friends, I round off my edges to fit the Jerri-sized slot they hold for me. But with strangers, it's easier to be my messy, sloppy, imperfect self. I can say what I truly think or feel. I can dance and sing out loud without embarrassing anyone. I can laugh too much, too loud, too long.

I miss traveling. I miss the woman I was on the road--the one who jumped into glacial lakes and danced on tabletops, the one who sat on rocks in rivers and drank champagne on an Oregon beach with a strange man and his late wife's ashes. The one who lived out loud.

Maybe I should look for her in Michigan.

7 comments:

cheryl said...

I never thought about going to Michigan until now.

Traveling is freeing - in many ways.

I have a friend, a fiction writer, who, when sitting on an airplane, loved to make up stories about herself to tell the stranger sitting next to her.

Have you ever written anything about the man and his wife's ashes? That sounds like a great essay/short story.

kario said...

Well, there is a huge group of women out on the West Coast who would love to host you on your travels. Just say the word!

Carrie Wilson Link said...

I love that woman.

Deb Shucka said...

I love her, too, and agree that she should come to the Pacific Northwest. Soon. I know one woman for sure who would be honored to adventure with her. You know, it's not possible to laugh too much, but let's try.

George said...

Oh...I have a feeling that Jerri of the glacial lake and wife's ashes is never too far from the open road.

Steph said...

Key West Jerri was always one of my favorites.... :)

Alijah Fitt said...

Yes, a little road trip may be in order; I was thinking you might like to come to VA and go canoeing or something?