Leos at the Castaway
A short story of transformation from sad to glad.
When I was young and working on a suicide prevention hotline, I
promised myself that if I was ever tempted to end it all, I would first
assume a new identity and start over again in San Francisco. The Leos
at the Castaway taught me the wisdom of this approach and confirmed
that San Francisco was the right place to go.
Although I was not yet suicidal, I was very sad after my divorce and
feeling all alone and sorry for myself. So, when the chance to take an
exciting business trip to San Francisco the week after my birthday
came, I jumped at it. Still, I was very sad and feeling sorry for
myself. I was sitting alone in my hotel room feeling miserable. Enough!
I told myself. It is a beautiful day, you are walking distance from a
beautiful park with a fancy restaurant in it- at least walk to that
restaurant for your birthday lunch, I told myself.
Still, I was very sad and feeling sorry for myself, so the sunny day
and seaside view held no charm for me. The restaurant, called the
Castaways, did have a nice nautical theme and did promise delicious
food- worthy of a birthday treat. But, all that did little to lift my
dark mood. Once inside, I was seated with a beautiful view, but I was
constantly annoyed by a nearby table of laughing women. How dare they
have such an obvious good time when I was miserable?
Finally, the awful experience was over and the waitress brought me my
check. When she looked at my identification, she noticed it was my
birthday and exclaimed- Oh, you must join these women over here. They
are the Leos at the Castaway. They all have the astrological sign Leo
and they have been coming here for the last few years to celebrate
together. You look so sad. You must join them. Still, I was enjoying
feeling sorry for myself- I had to get the grief out of my system, so I
demurred. But the waitress and the Leos, and finally all the other
customers in the restaurant would not hear of it, and I was ushered to
the Leo table with great ceremony and embarrassment.
The Leos at the Castaway wasted no time cheering me up by reading the
funniest of the magazine horoscopes. Leos are known for being warm and
sunny. They are generous and courageously happy- although they do often
demand to be the center of attention. The Leos at this table ranged in
age from 18 to 78 and they took great glee in having the oldest read
the raciest horoscope- with feeling. They were not related to each
other. In true Leo style, one woman had the idea with a friend, and it
grew. They asked me my story, and being a Leo, I was starting to warm
to being the center of their attention. Then they all told me their
stories and their connections to San Francisco.
At the end of the event, they all exchanged small gifts. There was even
one for me- a tiny package with a little note saying it contained the
love of friends. Little did they know how precious and lasting that
gift was to me. After we parted, I walked through the park- Coyote
Point- and it was crowded with people having birthday celebrations.
There were colorful balloons, streamers, cakes and presents. There were
Chinese dragons. There were Mexican Mariachis. There were African
drums. All were pulsating with life and joy and celebration. I enjoyed
the rest of my trip immensely and my business was so successful it
launched me into my next big promotion.
Linda Ellerbee, an American Journalist, says that laughter may be a
form of courage. For me, on that day, it took courage, and prompting
from the Leos, to let go of my grief and self pity and enjoy the beauty
and life around me. As soon as I did, my life turned sunny and
everything improved. In the name of the Leos at the Castaway, I dare
you to laugh, right now, and bring out the sun in your life.
If you like Leos at the Castaway, you might
also enjoy, I Believe in Happiness
Other titles you might enjoy include:
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