16 Perfect Views for Sunday Afternoon

I don’t remember why I wrote the piece you’re about to read. I guess that’s appropriate considering the content. I wasn’t dating anyone at the time. 

I hadn’t been dumped recently. I was just a young writer experimenting with his craft. This was the result.

In the spirit of this selection's title, also enjoy 15 perfect views during my travels in the United States and Canada. Feel free to share your perfect views in the comments section or tweet @danielfford.  

A Perfect View of You

Did I leave you crying?

I can’t remember that far back, even though, if you think about it, it’s only been a short while. For me, it’s all just one blur. I don’t know if you care or not, but I’m okay now. I promise everything go back to the way things were.

I broke a lot of those, didn’t I? As many as I think?

None of you deserved to go through all that, especially you. You’re one of the ones I loved the most and I can barely remember what you sound like. I do remember our last drive together just a couple of days before I left. I was flipping through the radio stations like always. You reached out to hold my hand. I turned to look at you. You looked, well I think you looked, happy. The rest is blurry.

Why does it get foggier the harder I try to remember? For your sake, I promise to have clear thoughts from now until forever.

I remember your mother telling me to always do what was right. Why did I forget that? Do you know what the right thing is? Your mother was a great lady, but I guess you already know that. Was she crying too when I…?

Sorry, another blur; another promise broken.

I do think about you despite the haze. You tend to be one of the only clear memories. You knew I was wrong. Why didn’t I listen to you? I tried to keep me in line, but I was too much like you.

Stubborn.

I hope you didn’t feel any pain. Call me a hypocrite, but I wouldn’t want you to feel pain. I love you. I love you at least 10 times less than you loved me, but I do. You don’t even have to say anything anymore. I know what you’re thinking.

Do you know what I miss the most?

I’m not sure how I can miss something when I can’t remember anything. I miss the way I could hear your heartbeat when you were cuddled up next to me. It always sounded jazzy. Maybe I won’t miss it tomorrow, maybe it’ll be something else all together, but it’s what I miss today.

I have to tell you something before I go.

I promise this is the last time. It’s something I didn’t tell you enough.

Or did I?

Knowing who I was, I’m sure I didn’t.

You’re beautiful.

You really are.

15 Perfect Views I Love to Share

1. A perfect view of the lake at my Aunt Kathy’s house.

2. A perfect view of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.

3. A perfect view of New York City from Liberty Island…half-obscured by the big heads of two Brothers Ford.

4. A perfect view of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge from my old apartment in Astoria, N.Y.

5. A perfect view of Central Park on a sunny day.

6. A perfect view from a hike at Macedonia State Park in Kent, Conn.

7. A perfect view of the morning sky from the Simsbury Air Show in 2011.

8. A perfect view of an apple orchard in upstate New York.

9. A perfect view from my favorite writing spot in Astoria Park.

10. A perfect view of the CN Tower in Toronto during a run.

11. A perfect view of North Reading’s town center.

12. A perfect view of New York City from a balcony on the East Side.

13. A perfect view of a sunset on a beach in New Hampshire.

14. A perfect view of Boston from the top of the Bunker Hill monument.

15. A perfect view of a sunset from my new office in the Prudential Building.