chain, chain, chain...

A friend recently proclaimed me exuberant...shock to me!  Of all the things I have wished desperately to be or have seen myself as, exuberant has never been on the list.  And I am sure that I can find numerous people (without too much trouble) who would be happy to testify otherwise.  I have always viewed myself as holding back, locked in the stall, tethered on a short leash, contained, biting my lip, quiet, sedate, invisible, stuck...anything but exuberant.  Apparently, not so.  I have had much sadness in my life.  If I'm exuberant, then it must mean that the sadness did not snuff out every little flash of joy.  The ember is there just waiting for the right someone to puff on it and start a fire.  Yesterday, I stopped on Folly Road to gas up on my way to a meeting at Trident United Way.  I started the pump and then the music started...Aretha was singing Chain of Fools.  I could not contain myself.  Yes, I did it.  I danced at the gas pump.  The morning light was soft, the promise of a new day was in my head, and my feet could not stand still.  No way!  Some guy came out of the Exxon...laughing at me. I laughed with him and then I laughed at my silly self and, oh, it felt so good.   As a matter of fact...maybe it felt a little exuberant!