Days in Paradise

The umbrellas are up early today. TheTrade Winds have all but died so the yellow canvases stand at attention above the chairs that we will soon occupy. All is still and quiet. Most are still asleep. It's hard to blame them. Last night there was a party and we danced, laughed and reunited with friends. Sarah and I were actually the first to leave. Grabbing her hand we made our way into the darkness with our feet touching the white sand road. A canopy of tall long leaf Palm Trees hung above our heads. We talked as we made our way back to the Chalet that is home for now. It is a different universe here. A Caribbean island filled with the hopes and dreams of escape. There is a crazy collection of people who share the simple goals of relaxing, tanning, and having fun.  Whatever serious conversations take place on the beach are quick. That's not to say there isn't time for reflection.  I find myself with my feet in the aqua blue waters of Orient Bay, staring at the islands on the horizon completely lost in thought, wondering about things or people that I love. I make plans for Sarah and I, the kids, and all of the things that are going to happen next ... whatever next is. I've been here over twenty times now and it still hasn't lost any of it's luster. Fantasies of staying here continue to dance in the recesses of my mind. It is Sarah's first time and I am enjoying watching her enjoying it ... and we are enjoying each other at the same time too. Some of my best friends blew in yesterday and the joys of reconnecting exploded as we saw each other. Sarah's met so many new friends and is doing just fine enjoying them. Today will be a celebration of just getting through whatever we all had to get through to get here again. The Trade Winds pick up and the Palm Trees begin to dance. The Chalet quickly cools as I sip coffee remembering Sarah and my conversation before we slept. She writes me notes too and I ponder them. The sun is already blazing and it is going to be hot today. Thank God for the Trade Winds. They are the oceans air conditioner and it is always fascinating to me that I can bake in the sun and never get too hot. Yesterday I swam to the reef that protects this Bay. It is a long swim against the current to get there but it is worth it. Fish of every color dart around and their beauty often makes me stop breathing. I love the sound of their teeth scrapping against the coral that feeds them. The coral itself is alive with splendor and the waves breaking above it is like crown of God's creation. Turning to make my way back to Sarah on the beach, I am now with the current. It carries me swiftly and I feel like I am flying. A large spotted Sting Ray darts beneath me. I search for conch shells. Reaching the sandy bottom just off the beach, the fish lose their color and are as white as the sand. Standing in the surf, I take my mask and fins off. There are miles and miles of clear blue skies. There is rum on ice. It really is another day in Paradise. Sarah stands to greet me and Paradise just got better. I find  myself whispering prayers of Thanksgiving. "On this day you will be with me in Paradise," Jesus said to the man hanging beside him another cross. It's true I guess that you have to go through so much to get there, but me tell you something ... Jesus knew what he was talking about. Any day in Paradise is blessing. And today I have another one.