at day’s end

The cool breeze of the ocean, the smell of salt air, the faint cry of birds and the loud crashing of waves – - bliss. The thoughts and memories of my many visits to Vancouver Island can be a balm for my soul. When finally at home after a stressful day, I only need to look up to see pictures of my travels; quiet, gentle reminders of a place of inner peace.

There is something so powerful about gazing into the vastness of the sea from a shallow cove or a large cliff. It really puts things into perspective. Looking down to the small shallows of water one can see a multitude of tiny creatures. Sea-stars, crabs, sand dollars and minnows. They are only a speck in the immense expanse of water. I wonder if they have any idea how minute or insignificant they are in the greater scheme of things. And yet, they go on about their lives without a care or a worry. Oh to be one of them!

As I sit here – frustrated, angry, worried, exhausted yet unable to sleep – I close my eyes and imagine myself on Botanical Beach. My sanctuary. Silent except for the sweet symphony of nature. The waves. The birds. The gentle wind in the trees behind me. I hear my mom and dad emerging onto the beach from one of the hiking trails, hand in hand. Their laugher adds to the delight of the moment. I breath in. I am home.

I open my eyes. The waves stop roaring, the gulls are no longer flying in the sky above me, the air loses its saltiness. My parents are many thousands of miles away.

Yet, my anger has ebbed and my eyelids slowly surrender to gravity. Goodnight, Vancouver. Goodnight, Edmonton.

Tags: bliss, delight, salt, sea, waves, wind

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