Define: 'Gezelligheid'

“She wasn’t doing a thing that I could see, except standing there, leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.”

-J.D Salinger The Catcher in the Rye

I don’t remember meeting Maddison; she was just constantly there melting into the background. And I admire people that melt, their presence soft and unassuming. These are the people I like to watch. Their actions and speech are modest, yet if you look closely you will see this otherworldliness about them. It surrounds them like a cloak of protection, and it’s beautifully made.

Maddison and I are childhood friends, yet until recently, we never really knew each other. I understand now that her walls were built just as high and thick as mine. I knew only what she wanted me to know, and she knew only what I showed her. Yet it didn’t take long for the walls we had built to come down, at least around each other.

And I was greeted with this protagonist, who is strong and worthy and cunning against any and every foe. I found myself writing her into every story-

 “No one ever knew what she was thinking, it could be the secret of the universe or her shopping list. Did she need eggs or world domination? Milk or anarchy? Yet perhaps this all added to her charm, and her mystery. And everyone loves a good mystery, especially one that’s living and breathing. Sometimes though, she wound herself into a riddle. Sometimes the mystery fed on her own mind, and it scared her. That is, until the first time she picked up a pen. She saw everything-every scar, every tear, every smile- when the weight of her pen was gliding across the pages of her leather bound notebook. And it was like finding that key, opening that tomb, drinking from that spring- she was no longer an enigma. Yet no one deserved this knowledge, it was too precious and far too exquisite. So she kept them guessing, and wrote out another list.”

I’m very choosy as to who I allow drain me of energy. Being at times cripplingly introverted, this is my protection and I revel in some sort of control. It’s hard to explain, yet I will try. I’ve been around people that drain me to the point of exhaustion, and leave me starving for a recharge. These people, without any fault of their own, can be dangerous to an introvert’s mental health in that they drain and drain and drain, yet never replenish. Then, there are people like Maddison. Maddison took, yet also gave. Does this make since? I suppose what I’m trying to say is

These are special people. They're nurturers. The energy they put off isn’t over extravagant, it’s calming. You feel at ease in their presence, and this is rare for me. I cherish such people.

Needless to say the day we spent together was full of utter, loving friendship. And we found ourselves surrounded by books.

Derby, Kansas is becoming more of a hopping place as of recent years. We have received a Panera, Target, Hobby Lobby, and Chipotle. All the places one needs for survival. And although this new boom in business has been good for the small city, I find myself dreaming of simpler times. Although I'm a frequent visitor of Target, and Hobby Lobby I miss the small town feel of Derby. As a child I had fields to keep my eyes busy, and the promise of McDonalds for lunch. It was simpler I suppose. Choices were made for you, and the constant complaints for something new became familiar small talk.

Now that Derby is housing the main powerhouses of stores, we are no longer in need of the small businesses that line Maddison Avenue and K-15. If only my business, could keep them in business.

Maddison and I’s first stop was Silvery, a new café and bakery that took the place of the old donut house. I was shocked we finally had a nice hipster joint to lay our hat. It was a pleasant surprise right when I first walked in. The décor was a mod-podge of rustic, vintage, and eclectic. The wooden tables were surrounded by a plethora of vintage chairs, with not one matching. I felt at home.

While I took in the décor, I was greeted by a pleasant staff. We enjoyed chit-chat that although I at times suffer through, found myself enjoying. And when it was time to order I knew exactly what I wanted: A London Fog.

This drink, as I am surprised to learn, is not too common in fair ole Kansas. Essentially it’s black tea (typically Earl grey) with foamed milk, and vanilla. I call it comfort. So I was pleasantly surprised to find it on the menu.

And for the coffee lovers, they have a variety of drinks ranging from all your typical latte and macchiato needs. (I suggest their latte with a shot of Irish cream.)

When we received our drinks, we shared them over typical Maddison/McKenzie conversation- writing. Maddison is a poet, and I enjoy hearing her speak of her latest inspiration. As she shares her latest work with me, I give her snippets of the novel I have been working on for the last couple of years. It has taken many forms, been deleted countless times, and seen many tears. Yet I hope it’s on the right path- (*resists urge to hit the delete button again*).

After finishing our coffee, and early morning talk of dreams and hopes and fears we found ourselves meandering around Derby’s one and only bookstore- Blue Dragon Books. It’s a quaint little book store mere paces from Silvery, and has become my regular stop while in Derby. It ranges from new releases, to classics, to vintage hard backed books, and so much sci-fi I found myself giddy. Maddi went straight toward the poetry, and I searched for the copies of Pride and Prejudice. We met back again in the Classics, and sat on the floor searching through the Vintage section, of lesser known titles and authors. These books hold the most enchantment; you never know if you’ll find a gem.

When I’m in places like this, lying on the floor of a second-hand book store, full of coffee and tea, with a stack of yellow edged paper backs, and dusty hard covered books, I don’t feel like I’m in Kansas. I could be in Carlos Zafon’s Cemetery of Forgotten Books from “The Shadow of the Wind”, searching through Jane Austen’s book shelf, hiding novels from the fireman in Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”, or on some grand adventure halfway across the world. And then I no longer feel claustrophobic, and I can stay here for a little longer.

After Maddison and I chose from our selection, the books we couldn’t live without, we paid and continued on our journey. And all the while we continued speaking of mysteries of the world, mysteries within ourselves, books we wish to read, books we wish to read yet know we will have to write, poems to be recited, and places we yearn to one day call home.

And it was home. And it was living. And the clouds that filled the sky put us into a melancholy, yet also joyous day. And we clutched our books tightly to our chest and thanked the other for such beautiful companionship.

“Certain things they should just stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those glass cases and just leave them alone.”

-J.D Salinger The Catcher in the Rye

If only we could preserve moments and days like this for an eternity. I suppose this is why we write.

-Happy Reading Everyone!

Gezelligheid: (n.) A Dutch word meaning the 'coziness, warmth and comfort of being at home, or being together with friends or loved ones sharing time in a pleasant or quaint atmosphere.'