Naive

The couple arrived very late to the dinner theater in Jacksonville, FL. The waiter left to bring two of the three courses in anticipation of the show starting soon. They had to forgo the appetizers. Sam and I introduced ourselves to them. They were a young military couple on a date. She was from Arkansas. He hailed from New Mexico. We thanked them for their service to our country and continued with small talk.

They met in basic training in Virginia at Langley. She could hardly wait to be deployed and see the world. He had put in to follow her to Jacksonville. He said, "I'm glad I joined the service because I met her." He smiled at her.

They did not look old enough to be out of high school, much less trained to put their lives on the line for a country of people that do not always respect their blood-bought freedoms. The word "naive" came to mind.

We say naive like its a bad thing. This unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality. Unsophistication, if you please. The ability to look at the world with fresh eyes and hope. Those whose hearts have not become disillusioned by people. They have yet lived long enough to form an opinion on matters we discussed, and give a blank stare on occasion. LOL. There is a certain peace in naivety. You're not burdened with the need to form a position on every thought opined by those around you.

I long for the naive years of my life. When black was black, and white was white. When I thought you could live off love and be fully satisfied. When the world was gentle and not harsh. When friends could argue today and be back in the Sand box tomorrow and never remember the things they fought about. Give me the simple, long-since-lost pleasure of being naive.