I finally am doing it!  It’s a full moon, and I sit ON the beach writing.  Dell isn’t too happy about my decision to be out here at night doing this, but as I said to him, “There’s a full moon, it’s the beach, what could possibly happen?”  I am for now all alone out here and will admit it does feel a bit eerie.  Tho I don’t know where that feeling comes from?  I hear the ocean roaring, and watch the moon’s reflection come in over the water.  How can something so peaceful and beautiful feel eerie at the same time?

Today was my last day here.  We plan to pack up tomorrow morning and hopefully *fingers crossed* be on the road by 7:00am.  They say it’s a 16 hour drive home…………..which if we drove straight through would put us home at 11:00pm, or midnight. I guess it’s doable, but neither Dell nor I are high-energy people.  We’ll probably stop somewhere along the way.

Knowing today was my last day I really didn’t care about anything but being on the beach. I was out by 10:30am, and didn’t go in till well after 3:00.  Doesn’t sound like a lot of time but when you’re in the sun that long, it really is.  Especially Florida sun this time of year!  I’m amazed I’m not really burned at all.  Normally I burn like crazy and then turn brown. Now, I’m just a really dark brown.

 I swam in the ocean today, the first day I could do this, as temps have just been way too cold!  However, today warmed up to the high 70s, and I braved the temp of the water, which is probably the mid to high 60s, and tried to do some body surfing.  It was a calm/mild day as far as waves go, so the thrill of normal body surfing wasn’t there.  Short of all the kids around, I was probably the oldest one out there.  I’m telling you, I LOVE the water that much!

I love Florida.  I always think I’d rather move to Cape Hatteras, NC, or perhaps the mountains of southern Tennessee, but the truth is, I love this place.  I’d for sure want to be in a beach city, if I am able to relocate here.  I’ve spent the week in Cocoa Beach.  It’s the first time I’ve been here.  For those that remember, “I Dream of Jeannie” this is the place they lived.  Kennedy Space Center is just miles from where I sit as well.  I’ve enjoyed my time here, but this isn’t my favorite place in Florida.  I am still very much drawn to St. Augustine or the Flagler Beach area.  On the other side of the state I would still love to move to Bradenton Beach, as that is where my parents had a house when I grew up.  All of my Christmas’ were spent in Bradenton.  For some reason tho, when I plan vacations here in Florida, I seem to stray towards the east coast, as I LOVE the waves, and the feel of the Atlantic.  So if I were ever able to relocate to “The Sunshine State” (yes, I like that description), I probably would end up in St. Augustine.  Exception being landing that dream job at Disney!  *laughs*  Then it’d have to be Orlando.

When I was little, and the time would come for us to leave Florida, I still remember how sad I felt on the inside.  I’d turn around in the car and watch the Gulf as far as I could as we drove over one of those toll bridges that opened for big boats to come through. I’d feel so sad!  Tonight as I sit on the beach, knowing tomorrow morning I will have to leave the ocean, the palm trees, the seagulls and pelicans, I feel like I did when I was a little girl.  It makes me wonder why I never settled here, or near the ocean.  Sometimes, I just don’t understand life or why we do what we do, or don’t do.  I guess it’s all part of some plan.  I just have to feel so very blessed that I have the resources to visit a couple times a year. And for that, I am grateful. *as she looks over the moon’s reflection to see waves and whitecaps*

One thing I have discovered about me, anywhere I go I love to talk to people. I love to get their stories on why they live here, what brought them here, or any story they would like to tell. I bet I could make a book out of some of the things I’ve learned on vacations from people.  This trip is no different.  I just see people in such a different way than most.  Everyone has a story.  EVERYONE!  I think one of the most interesting people I met on this trip was an African American woman in Charleston.  It was the day we were on the beach in Isle of Palm.  You know, the beach where I finally discovered great truths!  This lady walked up to me as I was playing with Skylar and holding Bree’s hand, and said to me,  “Excuse me, can you tell me why there are so many waves?”  I looked at her and realized she was being serious.  “Have you ever been to the beach before?” I asked her.  “NEVER!”  She assured me as she explained she was from Virginia, on the west side of the state.  “This is my first time!  I was just wondering if perhaps some big boats went by to cause such huge waves.”  I began to explain to her it was the ocean, and if she could see to the other end, she’d be able to see either France or Spain. (Pathetic, I know, as I myself wasn’t sure what country was directly across from South Carolina.)  I began to try to explain how the ocean worked, but I don’t think I did a good job.  We talked for a bit as she explained she had taken the bus with her granddaughter on a school band trip.  I could see she was feeling the power of the ocean too.  We talked for a few moments, as I told her that God lived on the beach.  She laughed at me, but I think she wondered for a moment if I was serious.  It was so inspiring to me to meet this lady, but more I felt so blessed that she chose me to come up to and ask what must have been a humbling question.  She was so humble and meek herself.  I don’t think I will ever forget her.  I’ve met some others along the way, but will save those stories for another time.

I do look forward to going home to see Pete, Lilly, and Nick.  Jane has been a life-saver and has been checking in on poor ole’ Nick since we’ve been gone.  At 19, he sleeps almost all the time now.  I think 19 for a cat is REALLY getting up there.  Jane saved the day by helping me out.  To take him to “camp” would have killed him. Jane and I laughed as I left, she was so afraid something might happen to him while we were gone.  But as of writing tonight, Jane has not called so I am sure he is fine.  Lonely, but fine!  Pete and Lilly have probably given up hope we are coming back!  I miss them something awful, but will admit the trip was easier without them. I look forward to seeing the kids on Easter, as Jason, Susie, Elizabeth, Amy, Skylar and Bree all will be coming to my house.  At first we were going to go to one of those exclusive restaurants for Easter Brunch, but SOMEONE *points finger at self* didn’t make reservations on time.  So I will be preparing Easter dinner when we get home.  It’s okay.  It will be good to see the kids.

And now, sitting here shaking from a cool night breeze coming in over the ocean, probably a little bit too much sun today, I guess I should close.  This will be it for this visit to the beach.  I feel sad as I close this entry as this has been my dream!  To write sometime on the beach with a full moon.  How glorious my last night here that dream was fulfilled! Guess I need to get that book done so that one day, perhaps I won’t have to leave this place.  I pray this is the Father’s plan for my life as this trip I have for sure surrendered my plans to His plans and His dreams for me.  Somehow I do believe those plans will one day lead me to a place such as this one.  I truly do believe.

As the faith, love, and light lead me on.

Goodnight,

Sunshine

Goodnight Soul Mate: Oh, if you could only see me now!  I sit in my height of glory as I see the reflection of the moon over the water, waves bouncing up and down, and look to see all the night stars.  This is the real me, in this place, in this time.  How I wish I could share the real me with you………….how I pray the words I write somehow reflect all that I am.  Life has a way to bog one down with daily living. It’s when you can touch nature, as I am doing tonight that you realize that deep within yourself is the real you…………………and that’s what I’m doing tonight. In that place, I still find a part of you.  No, it makes no sense when I say it, but yet, I DO understand it now.  And I know it’s okay to know you’re in that place.  Even if your life is being lived somewhere else, there’s a part of you that understands what I am saying.  In a very non-selfish and spiritual way, I believe you know it’s something so very special.  Thanks for reading, for listening to me all these years, for not turning it into a huge joke, which so many might do, and for touching my heart so very many times.  And of course, thanks for letting me know you are still out there remembering.  So simple, and yet, the best things in life are simple.  I send you love and light as I finish my last night here at the beach, under the full moon, waves crashing, and my feet in the sand. I will always wish that one day……………..Goodnight,  Love, ~Sunshine

Tonight's song is dedicated to the beach, the ocean, God's creation of ocean life, the seagulls, the palm trees, and my favorite of all.............the pelicans!