There is something magical about winter. One imagines it to be cold, windy, dull and grey. Well, the ocean here has a different story. The first day of January decided to be shiny, fragrant, funny, and to throw another item in the mix – a ship.
Little feet trampled happily in the hall at obscene hours this morning, trying to “be the first to wake up this year, too!”. While I am trying to be a supportive parent, I am really not competitive when it comes to the last one out of bed…But as the day was barely born, something had to fill it with amazing adventures, since it is the last day of winter break and the first of the new year. Or, in little feet talk,”Bye-bye 2011, helloooo 2012!”. As cheerful was simply not in my menu so early in the morning, a new trip to the beach became necessary.
The wind was in full blown conversation mode; whispering sweet nothings for a second, and shouting mighty wailings, followed by short, stingy sarcasms…but the sun was warm. The seagulls were not in sight at first. It looked a bit scary, like waking up to the same world, but without the life that one knows so well…I stretched on the lounge and let the sun paint my skin bright, yet again…the wind washing my face cool from time to time; the experience was turning into an amazingly rewarding spa time…little feet was digging tranches in the sand, and in the murmur of the waves, my thoughts collided. I went through last year, from the first day, in a “bubble” in a true southern place, to the exhausting drive through several states, to settling on the water, in a perfectly wild new world. That means work, too. Month after month my soul sprouted more and more vines, and clung to all the incredibles around me, in complete wonder and abandonment. Memories of childhood resurfaced, college years joy came about, maturity views have focused…What does one need to feel complete? A question that can’t be answered with words; answers that change with stages, stages that depend on surroundings.
As my reverie was fast swirling behind my closed eyelids, a hundred screams pulled my brain apart. I opened my eyes, still trying to regain complete function of my lungs, my eyes watery from the sharp light. In the teary picture in front of me stood a child wrapped in light, holding a bag, and laughing wholeheartedly at the birds that were yelling at each other…the bag had chips…had…now the seagulls had chips. And they were very grateful. And loud.
There was flitting of wings all around me and as I gazed towards the waves, following a one-legged seagull, I saw a ship, closer than I’ve ever seen one here before. A fishing boat. Big, sturdy, ready to meet the waves. The sky looked clear. It sailed parallel to the shore, close enough to be well seen, but far enough not to run into an unwanted sand bank. Clearly recognizable but mysterious all the same.
It will be a great year! Just like all the rest. Avoid the sand, catch enough fish to keep you fed through the year, and fill your lungs with that freedom! The rest will come on its own…I’ll make that resolution today…or just let things unfold as they may…
Happy New Year! Make it an amazing journey!
