Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Island Fever

I've got a serious bout of island fever.

Not that I'm complaining.

It's been a lifelong condition.

I still vividly remember the excitement of seeing the ocean under a brilliant blue sky with the sun showing the sea with diamonds for the first time. In the back seat of the car, my Dad steered around the big curve on Highway 80, before the guard rail was there, I saw the unobstructed view. Salt water jumped into my heart and I've never been the same.

God decided to test my commitment and I was held prisoner of war by the Southern Baptist for 8 years in Louisville, Kentucky. I found the seafood shacks on old River Road that runs along the Ohio River to drink beer and hang out in when I wasn't attending classes at the Seminary. I thanked God for St. Matthews Seafood daily for its trucks of fresh fish and shrimp. I worked on my tan laying on the roof of the Jefferson Street Baptist Chapel.

In 8 short years I'd  successfully alienated most Southern Baptist and I think was a full 2 years ahead of god's original plan. I was rewarded by returning to the coast where I've been ever since.

Now I openly admit, freely and without shame, that I live on an island and choose to vacation on  other islands.

My favorite other island is St. Martin and Sarah and I leave tomorrow to make our way to the aqua-teal waters of Le Orient. Conner is already laying in wait for us. There are new adventures to be had, create stories to replace the old ones and collect new friends from somewhere else.

And my friend Carlos is having us bring him a new basketball because they're hard to come by down there. His last one went flat from overuse. I'm sure this will be akin to Ark of the Covenant being restored to Solomon's Temple and an excuse for a beach party!

The great thing about approaching life this way is when vacation is over you go home where you're still on vacation.

Think about it.

I will confess that I've reached the age and experienced enough bad in my life, that I sometimes wonder if I'll be able to keep it up. The sea and its allure have been my life's most constant sustenance. Continuously it restoreth my soul.

It's gotten me this far so I may as well keep at it.

It's like the Baptist taught me all those years ago. Once on vacation always on vacation ... or something like that.