Great Day To Swing

Swinging at high tide - Homer Spit - Alaska

We crest the hill and look out over an expanse that’s rendered me breathless from my very first view when I was in my late teens. Today . . . I am as equally in awe and I silently offer up gratitude.

As we descend, I look insatiably out over Kachemak Bay where mountains are tipped white with the beginning of winter, where glaciers nestle in between peaks and where a 4.5 mile strip of land jutes out into the ocean creating a delineation between Kachemak Bay from Coal Bay. I have often considered taking up residence in this tiny fishing hamlet where artists thrive on endless inspiration, but for today, a visit to Homer will satisfy my craving for such aesthetics.   

We slowly drive through town and then toward the end of the Spit  - to just breathe in the atmosphere and the surrounding beauty before turning around to find parking. I cannot count the times, over the years, we’ve strolled this beach chatting on similar topics we discuss today; our children and now too our grandchildren, the state of politics in our country, spiritual matters close to our hearts and, too, our gratitude we live amidst this grandeur.   

My friend of many years detours, in mid conversation, and heads up toward one of several of the piers along the Spit and beckons me to join her on a swing one of the businesses overhead placed here for passerby. 

A little girl, beach combing, eyes us as she collects. So, I ask she take our picture. I attempt conversation with her. But she merely accommodates my request with a series observation - which leaves me to wonder at her contemplation. “Why are these two old ladies laughing and playing on a swing made for - me?” I inwardly giggle thinking this would no doubt have been my consideration when I was a youth.

Reinvigorated after our day of friendship and laughter and soulful sharing and our immersion into the majesty of creation, we head north toward home. Set back into proper perspective, life feels so very sweet.

Happy day just swinging and laughing with my sweet friend

An old photo from atop the hill prior to decent into Homer