The Beach, A Friend and Elegant Hats

Yesterday was a day 

I had anticipated for months.

The morning dawned 

and items collected the night before

were taken with me to the car.

Kids dropped off 

and dear medical student too.

Stopping by the view of the canal

to check GPS for this trip.

You see, my friend from my home town

comes to Florida at this time

every year.

And when I moved to Miami,

we've been dreaming 

of this time together.

Off through the morning commuters 

I zoom North.

Some traffic delay 

but nothing could keep my heart down.

I was going to see my friend.

There is something magical

about the journey to a friends place.

I've felt it time and time again.

Maybe the anticipation high

or the fact that you'll experience 

genuine love and mutual affection.

Maybe it's the fact they know you

and you know them.

There is a lot of trust 

to being with people.

You have to believe the best.

You have to truly believe they love you

and have your best interest 

even in the face of past disappointment.

If you don't, you'll never break

past that certain level

to get to those beautiful heights.

My friend I was about to see,

she understands all this.

She has looked way past

my insecurities and mistakes

and has kept loving me

like Jesus.

And that makes me free

to love Jesus more

because if someone is holding on

to your past mistakes

and treating you how they think

you deserve,

it keeps a prison hold on you

and it's hard to move forward.

You feel like you need to serve

those kind of people penance

until you've attained the level

of penance you have no idea

will be enough.

But not this friend.

This friend is full of grace.

If a spot would become too rough

or life just too tough

and you just couldn't 

make it,

she would lay down and

lovingly give you a soft place to fall

or be the bridge 

to help you move forward

and hold your hand

and help you with directions

if even that seemed too hard.

I arrived and she was already waiting

for me in the parking lot.

Post on Facebook 

just a few minutes earlier

had forewarned her of my close

proximity.

I was so thrilled to see her face

as I pulled in.

Snaking into a semi-blocked 

parking space, I got out 

and we checked in at the office

and got a parking pass.

Yes, hugs ensued.

She gave me the grand tour

and this little condo community

had that nice warm feeling 

of days gone by.

We got to see her husband 

and it was so good to see him too.

I love his smile

and the genuine affection 

he can't hide.

So this is the hiding place

of my friends they come to each year!

What a privilege to see it this year

and be here.

Water bottles in hand

and Victorian hats upon our heads,

we stroll out to the Pompano Beach.

I was so happy to see 

the wide open ocean 

and feel the sand upon my feet.

We took off our shoes 

and started off to the North 

and toward the distant lighthouse

chatting excitedly.

There was so much to catch up on.

We came to the water inlet

where boats could go inland

and crossbeams of timbers

made a boundary.

We bravely balanced across

a beam and sat on the end.

Fish with black & white stripes

swam among the rocks

as waves splashed against the sides

making wonderful ocean wave noise.

A milky colored jellyfish

made it's jellylike movements

close by as we marveled.

We took a selfie together

with the lighthouse just behind.

Sporting our hats 

and big grins.

One is never too old for that.

We talked of friends we missed

who had left us earlier last year. 

Hearts still aching

but happy about their new doggy.

We talked of friends we missed

who would love to be here with us

and wished they were.

When something seems 

too good to be true,

it almost feels like you are in a daze

and what's happening is just a dream,

This was like that too.

The day was so warm

and the sun felt so good 

on our skin.

The clouds so perfect

and the sea so blue.

The best part was the company.

We both appreciated the cool air

after our long walk.

We brewed fresh roasted coffee 

that had been delivered to my house

just the day before

and given by a special couple

we both know and love.

We each enjoyed our cup

along with a piece of homemade

delicious good bread

that was outta this world.

Then lunch out on the patio

overlooking the ocean 

under the picnic umbrella.

Our feet soaking up a sunburn.

It was time to go

and we walked together to my car

and enjoyed a parting hug.

Knowing I'd see her again 

before she leaves

gave me lots of comfort.

What a sweet sweet day dear friend!