More Than Words

I want to tell you about how much I love the beach.  Sort of.  I don't want to get deep or wordy or write a 20 stanza poem about the beach.  I just have to remind you all that you should spend more time relaxing and less time stressing.  You may not decompress at the beach.  For you, it might be the gym or the track or grandma's house, but whatever it is, do it more often!

I am so freaking blessed to live in this neighborhood that is perfectly located in Honolulu.  It's only a 5 minute bike ride to the beach, zoo, and aquarium, and an even shorter bike ride to the park.  We live in an  old community with lots of history, but we're close enough to the university to increase diversity.  We have Thai restaurants, non-denominational (read: not Starbucks) coffee shops, bike shops, and parks.  Bars, tattoo shops, supermarkets, Hawaiian restaurants, a poke shop, and a library.  Now, I love all those things and I love the diversity, but when it comes down to it, I'm most thankful for the close proximity to the beach.

I also have to say that I'm thankful that Charlie's FINALLY taken a real shine to the beach, too.  He was a reluctant visitor for a few years to the point of ridiculousness.  I mean, he's from FLORIDA!  Hello!  But now, after we've both had a hard day, that's where we turn.  Together.  That's amazing, too, that we can do it together with the same intent.  Now, I can't tell you what it is really, though I know I've tried before.  You've read about the buoyancy and the feel of the hot sun, and maybe that's all it is.  But when I'm at the beach and I try to pinpoint what it is, it doesn't FEEL like it's the sun or salt water.  It feels like home.  It feels familiar.

If you've seen me recently, you know I'm pretty overweight.  In fact, I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life, and though I'm working on getting fit, I'm still a big woman.  I should be uncomfortable at a beach, at Waikiki Beach, where there are not only hot chicas covering the shore, but hot bods from all over the world.  Am I cowed?  Not a bit.  Which doesn't make sense except for that no matter what, the beach feels like its my space.  Oddly enough, I don't feel fat at the beach.  I don't feel insecure.  I feel strong and vibrant and whole.  I'm at ease.  I belong.

And maybe that's why it's where I go to feel good.