Yesterday proved to be an eventful day but not in the way I could have imagined. Jana was busy converting my old bedroom studio into a normal bedroom for my boy David and she told me dinner would be late.
So I went across the street to the Club Car Restaurant where every Tuesday drinks are $2 and the Tacos are a buck. Its called a cheap Auburn dinner.
I was going to work late on a painting and I had a couple of visitors. They wanted a portrait but after hearing my prices they felt they needed to save a little money. They were the nicest people and had relocated to Auburn from L.A. I guess there is more work in Placer County than in southern California.
As they left a young man walked in. We'll call him Blake. I had known Blake for some time and I talked to his Art Class at a local Christian High School. He looked troubled. He immediately sat down.
" So how's it going Blake?"
Okay I guess. Life is real confusing.
" What do you mean?"
Well, my parents want me to get a job and go to school ( Blake is 18 ) but I just don't know what its all about. How can I find a goal when I don't know how to start or in what direction to move. MY parents asked me where I wanted to be in 10 years and that really is confusing and disturbs me. How am I supposed to know? Whats with that ? I don't even know what I will do tomorrow.
Turns out Blake is a gifted young man and turned to smoking pot and other mind altering substances. His parents are quite affluent and decided to intervene. He has been sent to therapists and a couple of months ago he was sent to Dallas for a Dr. Phil sponsored encounter group. It sounded to me like one of those EST group therapy sessions. Lifespring is another one of those mind bending organizations. As a result of that experience he is now totally disoriented.
What I saw before me was a young man who had no business being sent to such a mind screwing event. He looked scared and was crying out for land to cast his anchor . He is adrift and knows it ( Thank God ). He told me... They asked us if we were to die right now, what would we we leave behind as a remembrance. He said to me... " How can I answer that... I'm only 18!" His innocence concerning adults has been shattered . They are phonies ( sounds like catcher in the rye stuff ) .
It was at this point that young Blake expressed his heart. I need answers he said. His eyes were always darting from side to side. What should I read Mr. Ordaz? Can I come back and talk to you tomorrow Mr. Ordaz? He was starting to sound desperate.
Of course you can come here to talk Blake.
I feel depressed Mr. Ordaz? I need to really talk to you. I need help.
Okay... come back tomorrow after 7pm. We'll talk .
I lost 10 years of my life looking for answers.
When he told me he is reading Jack Keruoac I told him to hold his horses. Before you go down that road of " Beat" lifestyle I told him ... lets talk about some of the competeing worldviews that are out there before you go crazy and become a merry prankster.
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