jefffavorwritesthings

This post is about to get very preachy. If you’re not in the mood for reading one of the most sincere things I’ve ever written, I suggest that you watch this video on repeat to suffice for your daily LOLOLOLOLOL’s:

I’d like to propose that August 1st starts being an international holiday.

   Most holidays involve a religious event, a passing of a war, or to remember the greatness of someone who has died. This holiday wouldn’t involve any religion, it wouldn’t celebrate the end of any war, and I’m pretty sure I’d be the only one celebrating the greatness of someone who has died. I’ve been celebrating August 1st for the past five years now (The first year I was too busy dealing with the tragedy), each year the moral of the story changing. To me the date started off as a reminder of guilt and pain, but as years passed and lessons learned, it grew into a holiday of love and joy. I now look forward to August 1st, and I look forward to what lessons it brings my way. It all started with my Uncle Lando, and it will probably end with spreading the message out as far as I can.

When I’m not writing and going on adventures I practice and perform magic for people.

   It’s been a hobby of mine since I was six years old. It started with my Uncle Lando giving me a utility device that you’d find in every beginner magic kit. He pushed a tissue into his fist, squeezed tight, and when he opened his hand the tissue was gone. I was amazed and I was instantly addicted. Every year I would get another magic kit, often times learning the same tricks I would learn from the last kit, and every year I would see my Uncle in the month of August. Years went by, and my interest in magic seemed to fade to the back burner of my mind.

August first 2006 I woke up about noon. I walked out of my bedroom to see my mother crying.

   My uncle had died. I didn’t ask how he passed, I didn’t ask what we were going to do, I thought about the last thing I said to him. “I never want to see you ever again.” At first I was paralyzed with guilt and sadness one has when losing someone you loved and looked up to. Once that passed was hit with feelings of confusion and pain and I began to run. I ran down the major street in my city, not looking at traffic signals or cross walks signals. Cars blared their horns, I’m sure I was almost run over too many times. I just ran. I sobbed and I ran. I ran until I hit the ocean, and I fell to my knees and sobbed harder than I’ve ever sobbed in my entire life. I walked home and I stayed in my room. I did not go to the funeral, I did not visit the grave till two years later.

   At first I kept the date in my head as a day to hate myself. It was a reminder that everyone dies, and you never know when it’s your time. In 2009 the significance of the date  changed slightly; “You should love the people in your life, because you never know when it’ll be their time.” Each passing year I would learn more life lessons. I would grow up a little bit more, I would meet better people, I would find something/someone/somewhere new that I enjoyed, and each year August 1st would change and change. Now, I don’t associate the the holiday with pain at all. Now I know that August 1st is a holiday about love.

   I miss my Uncle. Somedays I miss him so much that it hurts. I’d like to think that he’d be proud of me if he was still alive; He started a love of a craft that helps me meet friends and pay for dinner and conventions. I’m sure that he’d offer me a beer and a smoke and he’d laugh at how much I’ve grown since the last time he saw me. I miss him, but I know that my Uncle wouldn’t have wanted me to linger on his death. As the years passed I’ve come to terms with it, and I’ve learned what this holiday should really be about: This is a holiday to feel, share, and experience Love. To feel the same love I have for my uncle and the people in my life. To feel the same love I feel for my work and my art. Just to feel love in general.

  August 1st is a holiday for you to take a step back from all the stress, worries, drama, complications, fear, hate, and pain and just love the things in your life. Love the people, love the landscape, love your interests and hobbies and job and dreams. Spend time with your loved ones and tell them that you love them. Watch your favorite movie just because it makes you happy. Eat your favorite breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner because it feels good. Smile at work, even if you work at the DMV. Feel the love in your life even if you’re the only one who’s loving anyone. Even if you hate everyone on Earth, all the cultures, all the governments and nations, all the religions and beliefs and the entire spectrum of morality, and you have absolutely no one in your life, take this day to give love a chance. JUST to say “I did all the loving I can do for the year. I’m done. Get the F@#k out of my face.” WE DON’T EVEN HAVE TO GIVE THIS HOLIDAY A NAME!!! WE CAN JUST LEAVE IT AS AUGUST 1ST! IT ALREADY SOUNDS REALLY COOL!

I hope you’ll enjoy this August 1st. I know I will.