The Carousel
By Zachary Salzmann
After the long night at the Boardwalk we were finally walking to the car hand in hand as a family. The sun was dropping below the horizon and the lights on the rides were slowly turning on filling the void the sun left behind. Between the roaring of the coasters and the high pitched screams of the kids as the rides spun them around you couldn’t even hear the waves crash nearby.
Amy and I were tired from a long day that started before the sun rose. I used to think that only the morning alarm on a work day would be evil enough to stir us from our slumber. As it turns out children are just as merciless. The room was silent except the quiet chirping of the birds out on the trees infront of the window; of course I didn’t hear them because I was asleep. The door to our bedroom creaked open and had we been awake we would have heard the soft sound of our daughters giggles. Before we knew it little feet were bounding all over us and the bed moved like it was a water bed. I always thought Isabel was going to be the sweet child but apparently our eldest daughter had other plans.
Amy calmly rolled out of bed and wandered into the kitchen to make coffee, she had long since given up trying to sleep in when our Courage and Inspiration were awake. She also learned that I encouraged this behavior because I still had a little kid in me that loved to jump on the bed and have pillow fights with my girls.
As we were slowly walking out of the park Caelyn’s eyes were captivated by a beautiful Carousel, something was just magical about it. During the day we hardly noticed it but with the lights, the colors, and the reflections of the mirrors it just captured the imagination.
“Daddy, Daddy just one more ride before we go home.” As usually just like wild animals they always attack the easy prey. Isabel was quick to pick up the chant. But I learned long ago to fear making decisions. If I was too soft Amy always questioned my ability to exert authority. To which I always replied “What authority, there are three ladies in the house what chance do I have to exert any influence.” Both of my girls jumped on either side hugging me screaming what they knew would melt my heart not necessarily because they meant it more because they knew I would concede. “Daddy, we love you” but of course with the added “Please, Please, Please…”
My eyes moved to Amy, with my guilty look not wanting to say no, I knew it was late and we had a long drive home. The girls were quick to realize that they had me but that was not enough so they moved on to the next target, Mommy. But before they could even begin pleading She jumped right in “okay you can go on just one more ride but I don’t want to hear any excuse when it comes to homework tomorrow.”
Before I even had tickets in hand Caelyn and Isabel were already running for the line. Isabel was still a little young so I tried to help her onto the horse. For all my kindness my little one offered me the evil eye. which was so cute on a six year old. “Daddy I am a big girl I don’t need any help.” So I stepped aside and watched her plant her hand on the saddle as the horn was slightly out of her reach. She put her left foot in the stir up and swung her leg over the saddle. As always the Salzmann ladies proved the Salzmann man wrong.
I stood in between my little girls as they rode their graceful white stallions and I held onto the lady that during her younger years captured a young boy’s heart. The carousel went around and around and everything was forgotten but the here and now. The music, the smiles of my baby girls, and the warmth of my wife close to me; dreams could never match my reality.
The years have past and my baby girls have grown up but they will always be my baby girls. Amy and I spend our evenings sitting on our dock on the Flathead every night watching the sun set. Each sunset seems more beautiful than the last. My dream from early on was finally realized. We finally escaped the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and now we live a quiet and peaceful life in Montana.
Every night I dream of the day back on the Boardwalk. In my younger years I always longed to leave the city. But whether it was buying the house with a backyard or saving money for the college tuition we always stayed in Los Angeles. I feel like I am just now realizing now that my dreams have been realized is that the real thing I should have been dreaming for is each day. Each day offers us something that we hope we will never forget; nights on the Carousel as it takes us around and around.
Thank you Randa for your extravagant gift!!!
Amy and I were tired from a long day that started before the sun rose. I used to think that only the morning alarm on a work day would be evil enough to stir us from our slumber. As it turns out children are just as merciless. The room was silent except the quiet chirping of the birds out on the trees infront of the window; of course I didn’t hear them because I was asleep. The door to our bedroom creaked open and had we been awake we would have heard the soft sound of our daughters giggles. Before we knew it little feet were bounding all over us and the bed moved like it was a water bed. I always thought Isabel was going to be the sweet child but apparently our eldest daughter had other plans.
Amy calmly rolled out of bed and wandered into the kitchen to make coffee, she had long since given up trying to sleep in when our Courage and Inspiration were awake. She also learned that I encouraged this behavior because I still had a little kid in me that loved to jump on the bed and have pillow fights with my girls.
As we were slowly walking out of the park Caelyn’s eyes were captivated by a beautiful Carousel, something was just magical about it. During the day we hardly noticed it but with the lights, the colors, and the reflections of the mirrors it just captured the imagination.
“Daddy, Daddy just one more ride before we go home.” As usually just like wild animals they always attack the easy prey. Isabel was quick to pick up the chant. But I learned long ago to fear making decisions. If I was too soft Amy always questioned my ability to exert authority. To which I always replied “What authority, there are three ladies in the house what chance do I have to exert any influence.” Both of my girls jumped on either side hugging me screaming what they knew would melt my heart not necessarily because they meant it more because they knew I would concede. “Daddy, we love you” but of course with the added “Please, Please, Please…”
My eyes moved to Amy, with my guilty look not wanting to say no, I knew it was late and we had a long drive home. The girls were quick to realize that they had me but that was not enough so they moved on to the next target, Mommy. But before they could even begin pleading She jumped right in “okay you can go on just one more ride but I don’t want to hear any excuse when it comes to homework tomorrow.”
Before I even had tickets in hand Caelyn and Isabel were already running for the line. Isabel was still a little young so I tried to help her onto the horse. For all my kindness my little one offered me the evil eye. which was so cute on a six year old. “Daddy I am a big girl I don’t need any help.” So I stepped aside and watched her plant her hand on the saddle as the horn was slightly out of her reach. She put her left foot in the stir up and swung her leg over the saddle. As always the Salzmann ladies proved the Salzmann man wrong.
I stood in between my little girls as they rode their graceful white stallions and I held onto the lady that during her younger years captured a young boy’s heart. The carousel went around and around and everything was forgotten but the here and now. The music, the smiles of my baby girls, and the warmth of my wife close to me; dreams could never match my reality.
The years have past and my baby girls have grown up but they will always be my baby girls. Amy and I spend our evenings sitting on our dock on the Flathead every night watching the sun set. Each sunset seems more beautiful than the last. My dream from early on was finally realized. We finally escaped the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and now we live a quiet and peaceful life in Montana.
Every night I dream of the day back on the Boardwalk. In my younger years I always longed to leave the city. But whether it was buying the house with a backyard or saving money for the college tuition we always stayed in Los Angeles. I feel like I am just now realizing now that my dreams have been realized is that the real thing I should have been dreaming for is each day. Each day offers us something that we hope we will never forget; nights on the Carousel as it takes us around and around.
Thank you Randa for your extravagant gift!!!
looking at everything and planning. "Okay the book shelf is over there. That big guy who hangs around periodically carelessly leaves the nail clippers on the shelf when I can crawl those will be mine." Look at those eyes can't you see her plotting?
