"In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks."
John Muir

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Reentry

Reentry.
My sister nailed the word as I tried to explain my feelings.
It's the same word used for astronauts when identifying the critical time 
of returning to earth's atmosphere after time in outer space.
My transition was from a life and identity in Alaska to
another completely different one in Texas.
The mountain of mail,
phone calls,
schedules, 
commitments,
expectations,
unpacking,
responsibilities
were overwhelming me, suffocating me, burying me.

I wanted to run away from it all.
So I did.
 The generosity and kindness of my son and daughter-in-law
opened their beach house at Port Aransas to me.
I sense a change as soon as I board the ferry and
follow the dolphins and pelicans to Mustang Island.

Each day I spend hours at the Gulf or the channel.
Walking, biking, or just sitting in the breeze.
There isn't a therapy more effective for relaxation than listening
to the rhythm of the waves or the soft clatter of palm fronds blowing.

This is a time of deep breathing,
suspended between my other two lives.
Reflection. Resting. Reevaluating.
Sand between my toes. Salt on my skin.
A brief but necessary pause.
Passing the hours on "Island Time".
Making sure my reentry is a safe one.

Sign posted in the local coffee shop down the street:

Learning to relax.
Letting troubles roll like the waves in front of me.
Over and away.  Over and away. Over and away.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Reentry.
Island Style.


2 comments:

  1. Glad you have had this time! Wish it could have been longer for you, also.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful thought. Your post had me taking a huge, relaxing breath as well. Wish we were there.

    ReplyDelete