#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

7th

Our home was a single cloud
we were one
song of joy
we were one heart
that day when the tigers

stones
and trees
our ancestors
gave us life.

~ Irma Pineda, excerpt form “Cord House,” published in Terrain

Groggily, I heard Frank up and about and was shocked—I thought, what is he doing getting up at 2:00 a.m.! But it was, in fact, 7:00 a.m. and I had slept deeply. And it gets light out later. Outside it was still quite dark. We had gotten directions, fortunately, to a perfect coffee shop, minutes away in the square. We set right out into the early morning. Walked pas the boats and the sky just going from black to blue. Still, it was noisy, as if they town had not gone to bed at all. The birds made a racket and many workers were up and about, and music still played loudly on speakers. Then, an Americano, and breakfast, and good service, and I felt alive again. Realized how slammed by a day of travel and bad food had hit me. And tiredness from non-stop activity before leaving home. I felt terrific. I felt present. Ready for the day! So sweet to be away with Frank, just the two of us, taking care of ourselves. We parted; I went for my long walk on the beach. A handsome young man in a bathing suit, walking toward me said, “Hello, Mrs. DuMar.” I startled! Surprised to be known so personally on a Mexican beach. It was one of my nephew’s friends from childhood, whom I knew, of course. So sweet. And then I ran into my sister-in-law walking toward me, out for her early walk, and that was special as well. What a gorgeous day! So hot! Lovely lovely beach and I swam playfully a good portion of the day. Such relaxation, to have only to relax all day and then go to a joyous occasion––a beach front wedding on the Pacific coast, with a late afternoon cloud cover that saved us from too much heat. Simple and stunning, bride and groom. A lovely party. All the emotion of a happy occasion. Falling in love with the most special person in the world; finding yourself, suddenly gifted with an unanticipated joy and fulfillment. I know this feeling well. And I’m so grateful for that, and happy for the young bride and groom. Frank and I walked back to our hotel on the beach in the dark, barefoot, absorbing the breeze. So humid. Went to the pool for a swim to cool off. Sigh. I needed this brief and sweet vacation.