#357 Haydee
by Seth Simonds
Dear Haydee,
Today is my birthday. The shortest day of the year. The first day of winter. The day Druids dragged pretty girls from castles and sacrificed them in the hope that the sun would return for an other summer.
Unfortunately for you, I’m not afraid of the cold and have good low-light vision. Early on this winter solstice, I was the castle, the druids, and the deepening silence. You were the chubby princess that didn’t want to go for a late night walk between the pools of light cast by tall street lamps.
How about a run? It’d be fun!
We could act out a scene from the Wizard of Oz. You could scream, “I’m melting!” as I perspire until you disappear.
You didn’t want to go for a run. You wanted to stay home and eat red velvet cake with chocolate coconut frosting. You wanted to luxuriate in mashed potatoes, fresh garlic bread, and hot apple pie with rivulets of vanilla cream running from the big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Not a chance, darling!
I hummed a bit from Mme. Butterfly as I tied my shoes. New Balance with the knobby laces that don’t come untied. I stepped outside and locked the door behind me. I put the key in my pocket, turned to the darkness, and became a verb.
“Haydee” is also the name of Edmund Dantes’ companion in The Count of Monte Cristo. She is the one whose belief and unwavering affection pull Dantes back from the brink of vengeful insanity. She is the one who stands beside him as he distills all the wisdom of humanity into two words–”Wait and hope.”
Silly Dantes! I have hope because I stopped waiting!
Perhaps Dumas (the book’s author) was wrong and you weren’t so good for Dantes after all? Perhaps you were holding him back, too?
Dumas isn’t alive for me to ask him about what really happened after Haydee and Edmund sailed off into the distance. I know how our story ends, though. It ends with me jogging off into the sunrise while you mourn the loss of such a lovely man.
I am, you see. A lovely man. There’s just 68 pounds less of me to celebrate this birthday than there was for my last.
Kinda makes me feel like river dancing.
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Comments
Happy Happy Birthday Seth and CONGRATULATIONS on your amazing accomplishment!! 68 lbs down is something to get up and celebrate about and I am here to help you do that! (Been there myself and still moving forward to become the coolest, shrinking lady out there. Though it’s been quite a feat this particular Holiday season.)
You ARE a champ!!
You’ve come so far. It’s been quite a beautiful journey to witness.
Congratulations on the amazing progress to-date. I imagine this birthday will hold special significance.
Happy birthday!!!! And congratulations for a great journey. 68 lbs less in a year! It’s truly an amazing birthday gift for yourself. Enjoy!!!
Happy Birthday Seth! Hope next year is amazing for you…
Congrats on the weight loss!
I’ve just realized that this says Red Velvet Cake. This year was the first I requested that particular cake and have never had it before. It was very good, but I’ve apparently missed out on what sounds like a wonderful frosting to top it off.
Congratulations on both the downsizing and the birthday, Seth.
Woot! Seth, how awesome is that! Congrats and Happy Seth Day!
Thanks for all the amazing birthday wishes! I’m trying to get healthy so I can be around for many, many more birthdays! =)
@elevenser you are definitely missing out. Better than the cake. And you know how fat kids are about their cake! =P
Feliz cumpleaños Seth!
Happy Healthy Birthday today and on the many years to come!
You have so many reasons to celebrate that it is a birthday meant to be remembered. And if you are avoiding a slice of cake today, at least do something to pamper you and to make you feel GOOOOD, you deserve it!!
Keep up the spirit, keep on accomplishing goals and mantain the will you are showing.
From Mexico,
Patricia
Happy Birthday! I recently started watching your videos and you are quite the inspiration. Definitely motivating me to make a lot of changes (starting small) in the new year. Good luck on your journey and don’t give up!
Congrats Seth!
We share a birthday and also the experience of significant weight loss (was 90 pounds heavier 10 years ago). Keep at it, always being mindful of how much better you feel every day!
Gregg
@patricia Yes, yes I do. =) I had a slice of cake. It just meant I had to work out a bit more to keep my caloric deficit on track. Not so bad. =)
@Nathan Yes, yes! Start very small! Prove to yourself that you’re good for the commitment! Most of us have given ourselves many reasons to doubt our own resolve. Start small and take out the enemy one soldier at a time, eh? Best of luck! I’m glad to have you along!
@Gregg It’s a good birthday to have! I’m at the point now where I feel pretty good. Changing what I ate helped a lot & regular exercise did the mood-boosting. The issue now is to stay on track with consistent exercise so I can get lean and fully bust out of this rut. It’s great to hear from somebody who took the weight off and kept it off. I’ll be there shortly. =)