Another Day. Another Beach.

I wrote this to a friend yesterday:

Robin W's death is lingering with me, though. So pointless. I ache for his family and for people who are at the end of their rope and feel no hope.

Sigh. And while the rest of the world is blowing itself up, I'm at the ocean with my floating friends. And I feel so shallow. Surely I should be doing something? Something. Anything. If someone from Iraq could take a peak into my life (and she easily could if she had access to the internet) what would she be thinking? "Lady! We are dying over here. My children's heads were just cut off! My husband was just gutted! How can you eat blueberries and cake as if nothing has happened!?"

Indeed. How can I? What should my response be?

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Yeah. So that's on my mind today.

And you'd think that with these deep sad thoughts, I'd change my behaviour or something. But no. Tonight? Again? Just like every other night this summer? There are friends to connect with. Beaches to walk on. And sunsets to photograph. (With my phone. Instagram.)

My life is filled with Magical Moments. I call them Magical because they feel perfect. Like I'm acting in a scene of a really cool movie. When everything is exactly right. The lighting. The cast. The dialogue. The feels. The atmosphere. Everything. Is. Perfect. 

I've had so many of them. 

Usually they take place in the evening. 

Around a table.

And there's food. Good food. Potluck food. (Many hands prepared the meal, is what I'm saying.)

And there might be candle lighting. Or moon lighting. Or twinkle lights. 

And there's laughter. 

And maybe a game. Or maybe a riveting topic. 

Or those Magical Moments take place on a walk. 

On the ocean shore.

With a breeze.

And good conversations.

Or they take place on the beach.

Just as the sun is setting.

Like, tonight say.

Three of us, on a bench, licking our ice cream cones, watching the sun turn the ocean pink. It doesn't get better than that. 

And I wonder how I got to be so lucky.

My heart goes out to women who are suffering on the other side of the world. I don't know what I can do to help them, but I will pray. And I will not take this good life for granted. 

Three things I'm thankful for:

1. New friends. Old friends. New experiences. Ice cream cones. Crescent Beach. 

2. This season in my life. I am fully aware that it could end soon. It's been lovely.

3. Opportunities that cause me to stretch and grow. 

Shalom/Peace to you, friends.

xo