Today I Am....

....sitting on a cliff over looking Butterfly Beach in Montecito, California; watching the sun set from the west side. It's been a while since I was in California. The last time... I was sipping a Mimosa at Shanghai Reds watching the seals in their glory. Today the serenity that I feel, fits the mood that I have yearned for at least 2 months now. Watching the sky as the hues of pink erupt into a glorious red. The only sound that surrounds me, are that of the waves crashing. Nothing is ever different when I come here. The sun setting, the waves crash, the blue of the ocean, the smell of salt water never fails me. Always the same, but some how still fresh. Finally... It is my time. My time to think about nothing, about everything. Time stands still as I walk the beach. Shoes off, hair blowing, the wind caressing my face... As it only does in California. Goodness, it has been too long. I sat on the beach, curled my toes into the sand, hugging my knees... I smiled. Mmm...The tears dry as I try not to be sad because it is over...And a smile spreads across the lips that you once loved.... And I am finally just happy that it happened at all. Thank you for a wonderful ride... This roller coaster has fulfilled me in a way that no other ride was able to. Always. (mu)

Today I.....

....took a drive. As I was waiting for the light to change; I looked over to my right. And I watched as an elderly man held his hand to the small of his wife's back, (I assume it was his wife) as his other hand held the door of their car open for her. She climbed into her seat, he gently closed the door.....Out of her window, I could see her smile up at him. The moment seemed to last for ever; as their eyes met and held. He smiled at her in return.

For the rest of my day that image was stuck in my head... I wondered how many moments like that; they had shared... I wondered if they found certain times to be tough... I wondered if they ever thought that they had lost "that" person forever... I wondered if they had spoken words that were never going to be forgotten to one another; words of love, hurt, sadness, frustration, sadness, dismay... words of forgiveness...I wondered if they had made decisions that changed the path of their futures...One thing I did not have to do, was wonder if these two people were "happy"...Because that "look"...That "moment" spoke volumes....

Something to ponder....

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, cherish, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing...I want to see and hear and do it now. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.... *smile*