Santa Barbara Birdy

A couple weeks ago I spent a day at the beach in Santa Barbara. Oh how I love the water! "My Place of Peace" is what I affectionately call it.

Interestingly enough, I've lived my entire life in California yet somehow never made it to Santa Barbara. What's up with that?!?

Anywhoo...so I went a couple weeks ago for the first time and enjoyed it.

The part of the beach where we visited was close the pier and the water was very calm. The waves almost seemed as though they didn't want to be waves at all. Every now and then was the occasional "crash" just to remind beach-goers that we were indeed at "the beach."

While there, I spent some time watching the little cutie in the pic. I'm just gonna refer to him as male for the sake of simplicity.

Originally he was quite a ways back from the water. Like right at the edge of where the dry sand ends.

He'd stand there, way back, and watch the water roll in.

Then he'd scoot a little closer, cautiously, waiting for the water to roll in again.

I don't know how long I watched him, nor how long it took before he was finally as close to the water as he is in the pic.

Then he just stopped, stood, and watched. For a really long time.

At that point he reminded me so much of myself. Standing at the ocean's edge, enjoying the tranquility that is always found there. Sometimes I stand and just think. Allowing my head to clear.

I'd probably be reaching to say that my little bird friend was clearing his head. For all I know he may have been waiting for something to wash up that he could eat. In this pic though it just looks like he's looking out and wondering, "What if?" as I myself have done so many times.

If by chance he was there for answers, I hope he got 'em.

Although Santa Barbara was quite a drive just to get to the beach when I live pretty much 20 minutes away from at least 5 others, I'm glad that I can now say that I have been. One of these days I hope to go back and find my way down to the coastline where the big waves were coming in. There's gotta be a way to get to those, there's just gotta.

How 'bout you my friends, Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time YOU went to the beach, and which one was it?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

One Year Later

And...here we are.

Today marks the last of my "Year of Firsts". This is the 1 yr anniversary (if you will) of my Mom's passing.

What a year it's been.

All in all I think I've handled it well.

I miss going to her home and having her wake up (she slept a LOT), and then make her way into the living room where she'd sit in her favorite chair and chat until she got tired and needed to head back to bed.

I miss the way that she spoiled her "fur-babies". They loved them some her and she love her some them. When she passed, her dog Lazarus fell into a deep depression. I didn't know that dogs had feelings like that...but he did and he missed her terribly. It was so sad for me to see.

I've shed many tears over the past 12 months and only have few regrets.

One...I wish I had saved her last happy birthday voice mail message that she left on July 14 2014. She sang me the birthday song that she sang every year. Without that song my birthday will NEVER be the same.

Two...I wish I had kept her favorite night gown. It had this big dog on the front and she always wore it. In my haste of donating her clothes, I gave that away too. I know good and well that the folks I donated it to probably threw it out. To them I'm sure it just looked old and worn. To me...it had meaning.

My Mom and I were not "best buds", but we were mother and daughter and loved each other as such. By her bedside I told her many times that I loved her, and she told me the same. So in that regard I can truly say that it is well with my soul.

I took today off (as I will probably do EVERY year), and spent some much needed time at "My Place of Peace". Listening to the waves and the wind...sticking my feet in the water and letting it come up to my calves. Picked some lovely shells, and communed with God, my Creator. Told him EVERYTHING that was on my heart. Not just about my Mom, but about EVERYTHING going on in my life. I sang to him, and thanked Him for all that He is to me. I can truly say that today was a good day.

Now I'm off to go buy some flowers and place them by my Mother's urn. I know that she's not there, but it just seems like the right thing to do on this day.

I love my Mom. I miss my Mom. And I know that I will see her again, in the presence of God whenever He chooses to call me home.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time YOU went to the beach?

Talk to me!

Til next time...