Emerald and Wheat
My girlfriend told me this story on our way home from watching “The Artist”. It was her response to me feeling weak, old, and uncertain. During the down fall of the protagonist in the movie, I noticed my right grip was weak. I kept squeezing the armrest. I couldn’t squeeze as hard as I wanted to and it bothered me. I usually have a very strong grip. I used to be able to crack walnuts with this hand and I was proud of that. I don’t know what happened. It made me feel officially old. I think it’s the same feeling women get the moment they first witness a laugh line that doesn’t disappear right after they laugh. It’s a flashlight to the face, a dose of reality. Then I thought at least the character in the movie was at the top of his game before feeling this way. At 38, I feel like I’m just starting to climb that mountain, and I’m already seeing signs of deterioration. I imagined myself sitting alone in my little booth next weekend trying to sell my books and thought I’m too old to be playing like this.
My girlfriend said there are two types of people in this world, emerald and wheat. Emeralds are risk takers. They take chances and these chances cause them to shine. They provide beauty. Wheat is wholesome. They provide stability. They give us strength and nourishment. One is not better than the other. We need both in this world.
She said that I was an emerald and I shouldn’t fight to be wheat. It’s not who I am and it’s not who I’m supposed to be. The little kid that wanted to give people roller coaster rides on his skateboard instead of doing a paper route is providing beauty to this world.
I asked her if I could post this Emerald / Wheat story her grandfather told her when she was just a little girl. She said of course. I think she thought I wanted to post it to help other “emeralds” struggling with who they are.
But the reason I am posting this is to show people what a supportive partner looks like. This is a snap shot of someone making someone feel invincible. Seek it in your relationships. Make it a non-negotiable. It is wheat.
- Angry
(via doeeye)
