on the coast

You know what's nice about being with people who love you?  They validate your feelings... your experiences... and what is important to you.  At least being with my family is like that.  They ask me questions.  They care about me.  They listen and let me be myself.  They want to know how I am. 

Daisies in Dad's garden

It's beautiful here.  Here on the Oregon Coast I'm remembering.  Though I didn't grow up here I am  still remembering who I am.  And some of the reasons WHY.  My parents rarely handed over things that we hadn't worked for, didn't have a sense of ownership in, or didn't value.   They modeled hard work, appreciation, and not taking blessings for granted.  They taught me by their example to do the same.  They were, ARE, generous, but never handicapped me by making me into someone who felt entitled.

Yesterday was Dad's 80th birthday.  We didn't necessarily need one, but it was nice to have a wonderful reason to celebrate.



At Salishan

Walking out the front door in the morning to this.

And this... a few steps away in the other direction ... where I was drinking in the cool fresh air.

The ocean is calm today.  My heart is slowly getting there too.