Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Perfect


The day was perfect.  Perfect means nothing more could be added to make it better.  There is no such thing as "more perfect."  The weather, the beach, our friendships--all perfect.  Just for today anyway.





 
Eight of us in a big Suburban on a glorious sunny day headed to Cape May.  The endless sea spread before us, sparkling and inviting.  The water was warm and clear, the deep sand soft on our feet.  The kids reveled in the waves, delighting in the sudden strong surf that tossed them about.  Liana and Carina took photos all day so we can always remember this.  My new friend Cindy and I relaxed, mindless of time, talking, sharing, and enjoying our kids while they dug a great hole, sunbathed, and laughed.  We stayed late, no one wanting to end this day. The best hours on the beach are when the crowds leave and the setting sun glows golden across the sand.



 
An hour wait for dinner?  No problem.  No rushing.  We ate at George's Place--the best meal I've had in a long time.  A Greek dinner of salmon and a huge fresh salad with feta, grape leaves and chick peas.  On the long drive home we were quiet as we relived the day.  I was wedged in the back with Arielle and Steven, fast asleep, my sandy daughter heavy against me.  We listened to oldies--those special ones attached to memories.  I am giving thanks.  We're sun-baked and content. 

Monday, August 11, 2014

Wonder

At my age, is there anything new under the sun to get excited about?  I never want to be an old lady who is cynical and bored with life, to be weighed down with the mundane. But in the daily grind, sometimes I feel like I've seen it all and done it all.

Not so!  This past week we went to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey.  We were celebrating Steven's birthday and Arielle planned a surprise for this boy who loves fish.  The two of them ran off to explore on their own and Liana and I had precious hours together to discover the wonder of God's glorious creation.  Are you curious about life in the ocean?  What amazing creatures we found, each more awesome than the next.  Beautiful dangerous jellyfish, sea dragons, sea horses, vivid marine fish, a sea turtle with wise and knowing eyes. Sharks!  Lobsters!  Stingrays, sea stars, and sea cucumbers we could touch!  What a thrilling day!  Our brains are full of these images and Liana captured some of them here.  But photos are not enough.  Be filled with wonder yourself.  Get outdoors, get to an aquarium or a zoo.  The earth is teeming with life and beauty. 

"Oh, Lord, how many are your works!  In wisdom you have made them all.  The earth is full of your possessions.  There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, animals both great and small."  Psalm 104.