Here

We're here. We're home. Not where I expected to be today. I expected to be driving back from Gulf Shores. Well actually wherever we had stayed last night on our way home from Gulf Shores.

Instead we got here yesterday afternoon, because we left early from Gulf Shores because my father-in-law took a turn for the worse, and my husband just needed to be back here.

Here is good because it's home, and comfortable, and I have everything of mine easily accessible.

But there was good too. There were fewer "have-to's" and "need to's". And there was a beach. With sand, and waves, and sun, and wind. Happy children playing. Older couples holding hands and walking through the waves together. And there was the sand castle. The one my husband and I built together. The first sand castle I'd ever built. 

I brought all those pictures and memories with me here, to help me get through what's coming here. 

So here is good because it's home, and it's good because I brought all the memories back with me.

linking up with five minute friday

imperfect prose on thursdays: standing firm

There are moments in marriage that are just so tough. Like watching my husband on the phone with his father, trying to get him to agree to 24/7 care in his home. Because he is dying, and we don't want him to die alone.

Hearing my husband yell into the phone, "You're not doing fine, dad! Your not!" And watching him break down sobbing because his father is making it so difficult to do this one small thing for him.

Watching my husband calm himself as his father finally agrees . . . at least temporarily. And then sitting on the sofa, rubbing his back, staring out at the waves on the beach, and knowing that this brief get away is going to end earlier than expected, because he needs to be back at home with his dad.

So we pack everything up, and as he loads the car, I stand on the balcony looking down at the beach as the waves crash, while a storm moves in, and I see the sand castle we built that morning still standing firm in the face of wind and waves. I cry at the thought of leaving it behind. Knowing all the while that it remains in my mind as a picture of this life, this marriage, this husband of mine -- standing firm in the face of wind and waves crashing all around us.

linking up with imperfect prose on thursdays and Write on Edge

Beach

(photo credit Alan Pennington)


see more at Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . April 9, 2013

Outside my window . . . is a beautiful view of white beaches and surf. Dh and I are in Gulf Shores for a few days, and loving it.

I am thinking . . . my FIL. His health is continuing to decline. We snuck away for a few days to recharge our batteries so we will be better able to care for him.

I am thankful . . . to be in this lovely place with my dh. The problems at home haven't gone away, but it is a great blessing to have a little break, some rest, and soak up some rays!

In the kitchen . . . NOT ME. I'm off kitchen duty for the week and it's quite nice to be served instead of serving.

I am wearing . . . casual beach attire. Capris and t-shirts, or bathing suit and coverup. 

I am creating . . . finishing up the scarf and then got a baby blanket to finish.

I am going . . . to sit here with my tea for a bit and then maybe take a walk on the beach.

I am wondering . . .  how little I can get away with doing today.

I am reading . . . A Cast of Killers by Sidney Kirkpatrick. I saw this on a friend's Facebook page and was intrigued. I love old Hollywood stories, and this is about an unsolved murder from 1922.

I am looking forward to . . . another afternoon of lazing on beach with my book.

I am hearing . . . dh chatter about his work emails. He always checks them when we're on vacation so he doesn't get slammed when we get home.

Around the house . . . dd is holding down the fort. She is taking care of the dogs, and checking on FIL regularly.

I am pondering . . . very little right now. I'm letting my "ponderer" take a break for vacation.

One of my favorite things . . . is the beach. We didn't "do" the beach when I was growing up. I started going to the beach with friends in high school and college, but dh is the one who has helped me really appreciate it. There is such a calming effect from just sitting on the beach with a good book and letting the sound of the waves and wind wash away the stress.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . enjoying Gulf Shores until we head home this weekend. Then a fun day with my besties on Saturday.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

it's so cool having a my own photographer

photo by dh (Alan Pennington)

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook