gift of the season

The weather after Christmas was unseasonably warm in Virginia Beach which is where I spent a few days with family for part of the holiday. I knew I had to get to the beach to finally make up for the trip I missed most of all during the time I was recovering from surgery last summer. Shoes off, I felt the heavenly chill of slightly warmed sand beneath my toes, collected a few shells and with pure abandonment waded into the ocean screaming with delight as the icy surf washed over my feet and ankles. It was exhilarating!

I visited a place where one could disappear into a not too dense woods of pine trees flanking a sandy path chock full of picturesque scenes in nature that led to a gorgeous lake. A peaceful walk amongst the quiet on a warm day was a treat that took me right back to a day when I stood at the window trying to balance myself on the walker, wishing I could go outside.

And then there was Stumpy Lake at sunset; I'm still in awe of the many trees sprouting from beneath the still surface, their tall bodies casting reflections in the watery mirror below.

I also tooled about in a few artsy stores in the town of Ghent, a light sweater around my shoulders, a scarf tied loosely about my neck, and as I did it indeed felt that in those few days I had made up for a summer missed, a very unexpected Christmas gift captured in pictures and within.

keep your peepers open!®