Why I Write - For Amy

This is a picture taken this past summer at Okaloosa Island, Florida.  It is my very favorite place in the world!  Somehow, when I cross the bridge across the bay and view the huge expanse of the gloriously emerald green Gulf, I know I have arrived at the place that feels like "home" to me.  I don't live there yet, but plan to in the future.  In fact, I am going shopping for condos next month with a long term plan toward retirement in Okaloosa.  But, that is not why I am writing this particular blog.

I received a comment on my "Before I Wake" blog this morning which touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  You see I love to write, but not just for the sake of writing.  I want to reach inside and touch your heart.  I want you to think, to love and to search for answers.  I want you to KNOW that others feel the same way you do.  We all have needs, hurts, desires, loves and dreams.  When something I have written brings joy, comfort, peace or any type of stirring within another individual, I have succeeded in my quest. 

When I look out across the beautiful Emerald Green Gulf, I witness a mystery.  I feel closer to God when I am on the ocean/gulf than anywhere on earth.  You see, it has such beauty and power and mystery.  We see only the very surface of that Gulf.  There is so much beneath it that moves and lives and thrives.  There is such power in the tides and waves which beat against the shore in an endless, pounding and relentless way.  Stones are ground into sand and buildings washed into the sea by the power of that tremendous force.  My God is an AWESOME God!  The Gulf and the ocean can be so flat, mirror-like and calm at times, and then in an instant they seas can rise and become fearsome and violent!  Our God has that kind of power, strength and mystery.  The kind of mystery I see in the ocean/Gulf. 

The Coming Storm.

 And, by the way dear Amy, Okaloosa Island is a perfect spot for a solo getaway.  It is peaceful, beautiful and yet close to anything you might want such as restaurants and shopping.  But, my favorite thing about Okaloosa Island is that quality of peace and connection which seems difficult to get in our everyday world.  Go there and enjoy the peace...God Bless!

Leprechauns and Dolphin Watching

Granpa Leprechaun and Ashlyn

Part of our ritual on every trip to Okaloosa Island is a visit to McGuire's Irish Pub.  As you can see, they also have a gift shop which always manages to catch a few of our dollars before we leave.  McGuires has really great food, and they give you a LOT of it.  It ranges from great, big, flavorful burgers to traditional Shepherds Pie and Fish and Chips.  Of course, there is always Beer for those who care to indulge.

The girls love the one dollar bills hanging from the ceiling walls, and just everywhere inside the building.  It is estimated there are over a million one dollar bills hanging in there!  Quite a site.

This year we also went on a dolphin excursion (two hours) on the Southern Star.  If you have children this is the dolphin cruise of choice...they are very family oriented and there is no alcohol aboard.  They let the kids who wish to do so "steer" the boat with a Captain's hat on.  The girls got a kick out of that.  They also have a treasure chest for the children to choose something before they go ashore.  The dolphin pod we caught up with was very active and had dolphins from baby to grandma in the pod. Liv stood on the front of the boat "Titanic Style" with her arms spread wide and declared that she could fly!  That one is a girl after my own heart!

Today we are going to celebrate Lucille and Kevin's birthdays (actually tomorrow) at Tropical Flava...our favorite local restaurant.  Great Caribbean food and festive atmosphere.  Lucy will be 95 tomorrow and Kevin with be 56. 

I haven't even been home 24 hours yet and I am missing the Gulf and Okaloosa Island.  The sound of the emerald colored crystalline waves as they beat upon the snow white quartz sand is so peaceful and relaxing.  The sea has so many moods, and each one is as beautiful and fascinating as the one before.  One morning it was so calm and flat and there were little sand islands all over.  The children got to see rays come up and feed on the bottom of the sandy shore...it was amazing.

The next day a storm had whipped the waves into a frenzy and the tide was higher than usual...no more little sand islands or rays but beautiful crashing foamy waves!

We all left Okaloosa with beautiful memories and we will go back again next year to celebrate.  I am planning on visiting my youngest son in Ft. Lauderdale for a couple days between now and Christmas, so I will get a few more of those Florida rays before the first of the year. 

For Christmas I am giving Kevin (actually for Christmas and his Birthday) a trip to Pittsburgh for New Years to visit his sisters.  He is looking forward to that.  I am a little nervous about having four days alone here with Lucy, but we will probably be okay.  I won't get any sleep however!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with family and/or friends wherever you were.  We have so much to be thankful for. 

The traffic out on Interstate 75 today is extremely heavy with so many people heading home today, I pray they all arrive safely.  The airports are also crammed with people going home.  Be careful everyone!