Sugarloaf Mountain

Orlando, FL 2009: With plenty of previous go-kart experience, Za is raring to go upon his sixteenth birthday. Through many storms and close calls, Za has ironically concerned everybody with his ultra-calmness.

From Trent Ling:

Nearly three years ago, my son Za took me along for one of his routine adventures.  The impression still deepens by the day.  Still a month from getting his official driver’s license, but sporting his own rig, Za finally possessed the means to track down Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in “peninsular Florida” (this is how Za talks; I just try to keep up and hang on).  A frontiersman and explorer deep in his core, Za has always exercised his freedoms to travel, directing us to exhilarating destinations across each of his years.  This day (November 18, 2009) was no exception.  What a treat:  sit back, relax, and let 16-year-old Za handle things.

Inauspiciously, we get started.  Early winter darkness falls, rush hour traffic surges, the Florida Turnpike bottlenecks, rain pours, visibility plummets, and the incoherent road construction obstacle course defies.  But as usual, we get nothing but eerie tranquility from Za, the unflappable one.  We have no map, no prior visit, no familiarity, no directions, no nothing.  All we have is Za’s legendary mastery of the Earth and a wild shot in the dark on a school night.

Eventually, Za seemingly arbitrarily exits the Turnpike, heads toward deeper darkness, and selects random, unmarked roads reminiscent only of “Deliverance.”  In his usual way, he doesn’t talk too much, no matter the level of passenger need for reassurance.  Finally, Za gives his car a giddy-up and we appear to be elevating rapidly.  Somehow, we begin ascending a shrouded Sugarloaf Mountain.  Za crests the hill, turns into a cul de sac (pre-known from his rampant Earth expertise), and there we sit with a peaceful, majestic view overlooking the big city lights.  As if that was not enough, immediately and on cue, Disney’s fireworks begin illuminating the skies, and our exclusive locale morphs into the perfectly timed panorama.

Such has always been the flavor of life with Za!

After the show, Za gave us a fly-by of downtown Orlando.  I recalled how in his infancy, still unable to enunciate English much at all, he would call out and point to the named skyline structures, marveling at them with every visit.  Za had grown up but had not outgrown what will forever be timeless—the wonderments of life.  Two hours after leaving home, we returned.  Chocked full of more to say than can ever be said, this impromptu interlude with Za remains emblematic of any time spent with him where he calls the shots.  Classy and thrilling.

Today, far from home in a Garden of Eden long ago built for him, Za’s college classes begin.  While he gets to know others and they get to know him, no doubt Heaven is directing pyrotechnicians to be at the ready to demonstrate one day to the newbies in his life what I have long known and proclaimed:  “Za, you’re the best!”

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Comments

Sugarloaf Mountain — 7 Comments

  1. Awwwwwww! I have long suspected that Za has had us all beat since about aged 11. While in some ways I cant believe he is off to college, in other ways its seems like he’s been ready for years. Go get em Za!

  2. When I read the part about how Za says little even if reassurance is needed, I remember the fondue party and how he was helping “man” the fondue pot with my little girls. He was to teach/guide them in what to do, so cute, he comes on over and says “Julie, your girls are doing good. They’ve probably eaten about 2lbs of raw chicken. But they’re doing good.” So adorable and so Za – go have an amazing adventure and let us know all about it Za!

  3. I pulled up Sugarloaf Mountain and it had a narrow road right to it. Thank you for this wonderful vision and including us on this perfect example of Za and his creative endeavors. A truly enlightening and encouraging example. I’m sure his wilderness around the college will offer even more excitement.

  4. Thank God the Father for people who are willing to go in the paths more subtle and far more sublime!

  5. Za you are the best! I still can’t believe that Za found that place, Sugarloaf Mt., not to mentioned how he found it like you’re telling us here. He has that gift of knowing where he is at, no matter where we go and get lost, he’ll bring us to the right direction; since he was at a very young age we trusted him with the map. I’m in trouble if I have to find my way around like you do. I got lost most of the time, even with the map in front of me! That’s very humbling 🙁 Anyway, Za, have a great time in college! Have fun finding new places and making friends. And don’t worry about your couch buddy at home! Love you.

  6. I know Za will marvel everyone throughout his new journey with his firework displays and intuitive appreciation for the significant things in life. I have no doubt that what was stimulated and fomented within the “Garden of Eden” will be a true spectacle for the ones that were deprived of true godly nurture. Go Za!

  7. There’s that word: “Wonderment.” It fits Za and your adventure on that dark and rainy night~~~and all of the adventures yet to come with the one and only Za!