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.
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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.
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