Valentine's Day

Teri and I spent Valentine's Day on the Oregon coast--a mild day with a little drizzle inland, but while we were on the beach it was glorious and sunny. We happened to hit the beach right at high tide and got to experience crashing waves, churning foam and all sorts of dramatic natural elements as we wandered along.

What was miraculously fun for us was all the natural reminders of love we found as we traipsed along: heart-shaped shells and rocks, embracing and entangled kelp and twigs--it was if all around us, the natural world wanted to make sure we didn't miss the obviousness.

Neither Teri nor I are ones to subscribe to showers of love once a year and I like to look for heart-shaped rocks year-round but there was just no missing the call to let ourselves slip into the easiness of a glorious day yesterday. And yet, it was just a day--the rain fell on us for the beginning of the drive and then the sun opened up when we got to the beach. There was wind and drizzle and slow lines when we wandered into "Mo's" for some chowder and clam fritters. On the way home, only about 10 miles from home--Tiger's sweet little Ford Escort Sandy died a very undramatic death and we easily pulled off the main road, called for the tow truck and waited an hour as it got dark and the truck finally managed to find us. It could have been traumatic, but it was almost ordinary in its being just a typical life adventure.

Teri went to a worried place; a stressed place; and I know that she has had Sandy for a very long time--her entire time in Oregon--and it is hard NOT to immediately see dollar signs and such when these sorts of stumbles and speed bumps happen but I know we didn't get to be this age because of our inability to be resilient, creative and accept that life is ups AND downs. And if the DOWNS are completely manageable, that is something to be grateful for.

After a pleasant-enough ride from the tow-truck driver, we poured ourselves some sparkling wine, made a big plate of nachos and I insisted on some comedy to watch. An hour of hearty laughter later and things just seemed a lot more acceptable--it was a lovely, miraculous and beautiful day. I feel grateful, appreciative and still absolutely tickled to be on this grand adventure known simply as life...