whims and whirlwinds

the beach house is quiet. everyone is scattered tonight, each person or couple enjoying their first evening of summer vacation in their own unique ways. i have chosen to remain out here on the "2nd story veranda", sipping a glass of sweet tea and letting all the stresses of work and grown-up responsibilities be swallowed up by the tranquility of this moment. there was some meat sauce cooking on the stove inside earlier, and the scent of the garlic occasionally wafts out onto this sun-drenched patio and tugs a smile around the corners of my mouth.

i love summer vacation.

i am here at the beach with most of the people i love most in this world - although one is missing, and i miss him dearly. (i will see him on friday when we return!!!) we have rented this condo for the week, and it is beautiful - entirely unlikely, all of us here together under one roof, and the blessings cannot be counted.

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what is it about the sand and the sea? the salt, the breeze, the whirlwinds that carry hats and towels and umbrellas down the beach... what is it about this particular setting, that seems to inspire and encourage freedom and whimsy to reign once more within the human heart? the scent of the ocean, the sound of seagulls, and suddenly i'm remembering things i used to dream. the world is captured un-mercilessly by my senses, and i'm using its components to compose songs and poems in my head. i keep sighing and smiling, breathing it in... what is it exactly? it's like breathing in rest.

rest, with a tinge of salt.

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i have had an old melody coursing through my mind today - its one of my favorite hymns, "For the Beauty of the Earth". it is such a simple song, and when i sing it to myself, i always hear it without music - i always hear with it merely human voices, sung in various soft harmonies... and it is such a sweet song to think about, sitting on the beach under the sky, loving the Lord so much that your heart aches.

for the beauty of the earth,

for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

for the wonder of each hour

of the day and of the night

hill and vale and tree and flower

sun and moon, and stars of light;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

for the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child;

friends on earth and friends above,

for all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise...

for Thyself, best gift divine,

to our race so freely given

for that great, great love of Thine,

peace on earth, and joy in heaven:

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

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it all seems so appropriate - this day, this place, this freedom, these whims and whirlwinds, surrounded by that Love so freely given.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

this our hymn of grateful praise.