Kissed for the Very First Time

[Marlene A. Sassaman]

Those who remember the slight hesitation a millisecond before their first kiss should empathize with future anticipated endeavors. Unlike the long awaited kiss at the doorstep ending our first date, some things come to us for the first time without much fuss or memory. Does anyone remember their first spelling test? How about the very first picture they drew in kindergarten? Really now, does anyone remember the first time they walked three steps.

Then, there are those times that we anticipate in a stressful stupor. You know an event we think will be the memory of a lifetime. Yet, when back into one's daily routine, the event becomes just another day in our life. So it is with the memory of my first solo sail around Abaco, Bahamas last summer. The plan was to come home and write the world's best article about being 60 years old alone in paradise for five lovely weeks. Yet, back in my cozy home office, after months of agonizing over pictures that weren't worth editting, the whole vacation lacked appeal. While others seem amazed at my accomplishment, looking back it was just 35 days of fun in the sun. Not that there is anything wrong with a good time, but like that first time my lips tapped the lips of what's his name, the memory has faded into an article that is going to require great skill in recreating the senses that were enlivened during 3 days and nights of storm after storm. Hmmmm,

Anyway, once again I am anticipating another first. In three days I will facilitate my first big interview with a superstar. Becoming a reporter is daunting. Ethical considerations about respecting the privacy of the interviewee, organizing the questions, practicing the greeting, and leaving him laughing is all so theoretical. Regardless of how many times I have rehearsed, I find myself reverting to those same curious feelings that accompanied the wonderment of my first kiss. Isn't it nice to know that sailing at sixty will be full of firsts?

Wow! I better go pack for my first flight into the world of sailing journalism. That 7 am shuttle to Atlanta shuttle leaves in less than 12 hours.

[Suky]

Wow is right. I love this blog Marlene...stirred up a lot of firsts... hope I keep having them... especially those first kisses... I'm still a sucker for them..no pun intended... anyway, Marlene.. I can't wait to read your piece. Relax and just have fun~!*~*!~*!