Paradise for a Dollar

It's a Tuesday night and the sun is starting to set. People are sitting around in their lawn chairs laughing and popping open cold drinks from their coolers. Children with painted faces and balloon animals run through the crowd. Behind us lay miles of powder white sand and deep blue water. The band greets the crowd. Everyone cheers.

This is what a typical Tuesday night is like on Pensacola Beach during the summer. You bring your lawn chair, cooler, friends and family and listen and dance to a free concert - "Bands on the Beach."

I went last Tuesday with a couple friends of mine. As we sat there enjoying the warm breeze we discussed just how lucky and blessed we are that we live in an area where you can pay a dollar toll and be in paradise. Palm trees line the streets, water is to your left and to your right, and there's always something to do. I get butterfly's in my stomach and excitement fills my body every time I get to watch a school of dolphins swim by.

People save all year long and pay hundreds and thousands of dollars every year to have what we have every day. Paradise for a dollar.

Can I Play in the Rain?

Every year around the 4th of July the Blue Angels perform an air show at Pensacola Beach. I am fortunate enough that if I walk to the end of my street (about an 8 minute walk) I can see the beach and watch the show.

It has been a rainy July this year but I decided I would take my chances and I walked down to watch them. I sat on the pier and patiently waited for the roar of the Blues to fly above my head. Looking up at the sky I noticed to my left it was blue but to my right it was black. I decided to wait a little longer.

As I was waiting a mother and her little boy, about 5 years old, passed me and sat on the end of the pier. Trying to entertain him, they dangled their feet over the murky water and watched the fish swim by. That didn't last. No longer able to sit still, the little blond haired boy ran past me with his mother fast on his heels. He made it to the edge of the water a few steps before his mom and with much enthusiam pointed out everything he saw in the water.

By this time the cloud had moved closer and everyone was pretty sure there would be no air show that day. As I was getting up to leave I heard the mother tell the little boy that it was going to rain and they had to leave.

His response "Can I play in the rain?"

I couldn't help but smile and be taken back to when I was that age. When I loved to play in the rain. It is such a simple request and an action that brings many children such joy. Playing in the rain, jumping in puddles, and opening your mouth to see if you can catch the rain drops.

When was the last time I took joy in something so simple? When was the last time I played in the rain?

I got my chance that day. It rained before I could get home and I was able to play in the rain.

The Journey Begins

Hi! I am very excited about starting my first blog! As this journey begins I will be sharing my experiences and trying to see things from different points of view. I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I am going to enjoy writing it.