Thanksgiving
She spent her morning trotting, feet hitting the pavement with uneven breaths, in a sea of 400. Once the finish line was crossed, adrenaline faded and the muscles tightened she was ready to camp out in a lawn chair with a surfing book and the sun beating on her skin. And beating it was. Not a cloud in the sky and the ever so faintest of winds which provided momentary relief from the beautiful heat.
She reached for her drink, her hand wincing a little at the hot metal of her cup. A warm, no hot, cup that brought a refreshing relief as the icy champagne and orange juice inside passed her lips.
Splash- time to cool off. Time to join her people in the pool.
Then back to the chair. Back to her book. Back to the feeling of her skin turning the slightest shade of pink.
Time to paddle- mama ocean brought the calm and serene for today, glassy water producing the slightest ripples along the surface. Standing atop the paddle board gliding with ease out into open water, then pausing to sit and watch the sea grass, hopping for a visit from one of the ocean’s tenants.
It’s one of those days that made her happy. One of those days that would be stashed in her memory for a rainy day.
She was grateful. Grateful for the legs that carried her through 3 miles and change. Grateful for the vast blue ocean. Grateful for retreating to a familiar place on a familiar island for a week with people that feel like home. Grateful for the people she loves back home. Grateful for the pool and the ocean for offering their refreshment today. Grateful for an icy Lake Michigan back home. Grateful for the happiness that palm trees bring her and that a clear starry night brings her. Gratful for the sunset over the ocean in the way she finds perfect, a pastel rainbow sky meeting the ocean which is a shade of pale blue she has yet to put into words or capture fully on camera. Grateful for a life filled with twists and turns and new adventures.
Practice gratitude today. Tell the people you love how much you love them. Find the little things in life that make you happy. And then, do the same tomorrow. And the next day. Continue the gratitude into your new year.
It’s a lot easier to live a life that feels full, manageable and happy when you are searching for the good.