Riding the Waves

It comes in waves

                                                                                By Mari Andrew via my friend MerryHaul thank you.
 
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After turning over and over and over again the airline ticket to fly back to California to visit my family and friends I decided to postpone my trip. 
There were too many what-ifs that I was uncomfortable with and in the end, I had to heed the global information Delta/Covid is rising amongst the unvaccinated and vaccinated. Not seeing my Mom and family, especially my cousins and aunt who are ill is regrettable but possibly catching covid and given it to anyone is worse. Plus, after being blocked in the States last year for nearly six months I am gun shy.
 
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Covid has its hand on us, one way or another.
It is hard to believe how this has come into our lives
changing how we live, feel work, and or our relationships.
The question haunts; "Will it ever end?"
 
 
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Seeing Gabriel in his innocence I cannot help but wonder what this world has in store for him?
 
After losing my brother, a good friend, plus Yann's cousin to covid, and having my two cousins and Aunt suffering illness this year
thoughts of mortality are not far from my daily thoughts. Also, growing older shows us plenty, doesn't it?
As Annie use to say,
"It takes courage to grow old." and I would add,
"gracefully."
 
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I am riding the waves.
Normandy granted me a good visual as the tides varied by the hour,
receding miles, then coming back steadily,
the ocean at times resembling a lake in its utter calmness,
and then hours later windsurfers would be sailing over the waves creating lace patterns with the foam and water trailing behind them.
 
While the ocean's tides varied I walked endlessly along the beach,
picked up seashells,
feeling seaweed swirl around my legs,
dodging jellyfish,
admiring Gabriel discovering sand,
flying a kite,
watching the moon rise,
listening to the soothing sound of life coming in and out,
pondering thoughts.
 
_____
 
Riding the waves
Salted strands of hair
browned skin
glisten body
chilled skin
staying afloat 
while having the urge to run and bury my head in the sand.
 
Though the waves swell 
reminding me where I am:
 
here
 
gifted with life, family, friends, love, a home, food…
and the sadness that loving can bring.
 
Riding the wave
and the next one
and the one after that
because the ocean is full of them.
 
I see my daughter walk by and her belly full of life, and Gabriel running ahead of her with a gleeful laugh.
 
I see the land
I know the land
with its firmness under my feet.
 
 
 
 


Comments

12 responses to “Riding the Waves”

  1. Stubblejumpers Cafe

    I’m glad to see that you are one of the people who takes seriously the possibility that YOU could be the one spreading the virus around. It seems to me that a lot of us assume it’s everyone else, and we don’t curtail our own activities or behaviour. I see this as a large part of the problem.
    Enjoying your blog, as always, from a drought-ridden Saskatchewan summer that has finally ended with a couple inches of oh-so-welcome rain even though it comes at a bad time — harvest, when the farmers need to get their crops off. It may be too late, however, for the crops to yield much. Still that rain on my face has been such a delight.
    -Kate

  2. Thinking of you, dear friend. Sending you love, prayers, hope and strength. Be gentle with yourself.
    xx

  3. “Will it ever end?” Yes, it will. Like all outbreaks have, from TB, to polio to cholera. For now it is another obstacle to skirt around in the maze that is life. It could burn itself out, a type of cure could be found, herd immunity could be reached. But one day it will be in the rear view mirror. Vaccinations all around will help speed the end.
    It’s good that you are not flying (15?) hours. Too many interactions with crowds, over which you have no control.

  4. It is like a roller coaster, one minute we are up and then the next we are down.
    I have plans to travel in October, but closer to deciding to cancel it. I am sad, but beginning to accept this is a wise decision. Next week I will be canceling hotels, tours, car rental, and airplane.
    Sometimes we need to stay put, which is not easy.

  5. I concur that, safety-wise, the better decision is to postpone your California trip. Plus, what if you DID go, but then were unable to get back to France in time for Baby Girl’s birth?
    Home is wherever we are, my dear.

  6. Debbie Z.

    So beautifully written, Corey. “…and the sadness that loving can bring.” Yes, but so worth it for the unspeakable joy that balances it out.

  7. ❤️

  8. Your instincts are correct.Travel abroad,or even interstate(in Oz) is just too risky right now.
    Pretty much everyone I know,self included,has “flight credits” for planned trips that had to be cancelled due to covid-19,and most of us were to visit family.Being separated from our loved ones by this invisible enemy is emotionally very challenging.
    PEACE

  9. Susan in Zurich

    First, everything you say resonates with me, I’m nodding my head, murmuring to myself, “yes, yes” because I have been pondering a visit to Portland and Chicago.
    I, too, will be praying about travel to the States, taking time to listen to the still, small voice, within.
    Also, Mari Andrew was a university friend of my younger daughter, and they still keep in touch. I have followed her life as an artist, writer, with joy, and have benefited from her insights, her art.
    Corey, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. God bless 💗

  10. Such a difficult decision, I am sure, Corey. This pandemic has a grip on us all still. We just cancelled plans for a fall trip.
    I am fortunate to live near the ocean. Whenever my soul needs nourishing I go down to the sea.

  11. Follow your instincts. These are troubled times and it is hard to navigate with so much going on. Take care. Stay safe. Hug your grandson, G. often

  12. Corey, this is so beautiful!

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