Grow (W)here You Are Planted

 Has this always been a cafe? I can see the memory of robes strolling past, people in deep conversations enjoying the sunshine and preparing for their day. Image by  David Mark  from  Pixabay The giant columns somehow make me feel at home.  I watch some teenagers laughing near the doorway to the shop across the street. Moments where I am seen and unseen help me relax into my first solo trip to Rome. I sit here and the warm breeze clashes with my tea and I wish I had ordered something cool to drink. No matter, I'm in the shade and will be for a while.  I'll just lean back and people-watch.  God, this language is beautiful!! How have I not started lessons yet! I am here and can totally see myself not going home.  This is home now. Image by  Manuel Reina  from  Pixabay   I have to force myself not to get lost in imagining my life in some fabulous little villa in the rolling hills nearby.  From one of the bedroom windows, I can see this cafe in the distance.  I could plan my visits

When I look at her I see every age she's been. I cycle back through the years and the days, the moments. Sometimes I look around and I can see them smiling at her, being proud of her. I can feel the breeze coming off the ocean on a sunny day. She's 19 now and she's strong and she's sarcastic she's funny and she cares. She doesn't try to try is to believe you will fail. She does it. She dives in and does the thing and she doesn't need your input. She may ask your thoughts, from time to time, mostly to check herself but also to check you. don't get left or she'll fly by and get them ankles. 1/14/2008

I went home for a few days nothing clears the mind like laughter and the beach My brother often repeats words I've just said or phrases I've just uttered somehow hearing them outside of myself clarifies how funny I am The beach was windy to the point that it was almost too cold to sit in the sun and oh that sun...it was bright and lovely but the cold made it so I did not notice my skin burning now my shoulders and arms are itchy and red still red, 3 days later. It was worth it. Salt water and sand children running around free and shrieking with joy is always worth it. the renewal I feel after one visit after the walk from the car through white sands to that perfect spot the sitting, glancing around maybe reading something not expected to be inspiring but always is a visit to the water maybe a float through the sparkles then the walk back to the car hell yes always worth it. always worth it.