A Month's Departure ...



“The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. Maybe they always have been and will be. Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other. And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons. That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come.”

Nicholas Sparks

THE NOTEBOOK

We are departing today for a month's stay in my favorite Old Town in Key West (of course Florida).  Russ and I have traveled to St. Thomas, Hot Air Ballooned in Fairbanks, then an Alaskan cruise, New Orleans, a few monthly trips to Hawaii, and numerous trips to Key West.  Even though my trips to Hawaii have been spiritual journeys, Key West remains my favorite! 

We walk everywhere ... to the harbor, the  port for cruise ships, Bahama Village, most Southern tip of the island, and of course the main drag, Duval Street.  There are museums, art galleries, an outstanding butterfly garden, an aquarium, the Hemingway Home, and an intriguing old cemetery.  There are old cathedrals, a library with beautiful outdoor settings, musical entertainment, and great shopping for unique gifts and funky clothes! We try to avoid the tourist traps and late night drinking at the Hog Breath Saloon or Sloppy Joe's. We will be attending the Waterfront Playhouse, the Red Barn Theater, and a benefit concert by (Noel Paul Stookey) Paul from Peter, Paul and Mary.  The Willie Nelson concert is already sold out! 

Every night at the Sunset Festival there will be mimes, jugglers, the cat man, gymnasts, magicians and various other performers.  Many vendors will be selling anything from popcorn to margaritas.  A variety of artists will be offering their original jewelry, pottery, clothing, paintings, photos, with even a psychic or two.  The list really is endless.

There are so many places to eat, but we have our favorites that typically serve outdoors in garden  areas.  There is Blue Heaven, Pepes, B.O.'s Fish Wagon, Harpoon Harry's, Turtle Kraals, Mangia-Mangia, Michaels, Sarabeth's, Bagatelles, Conch Republic Seafood Company,  Louie's Backyard, Seven Fish, and Abbadonza's, to name just a few. The ferry will take us to an island to dine at Lattitude's or we drive to Stock Island to eat great food at a bar named  Hog Fish.  My favorite Cuban sandwich is a carry out from Five Brothers.

To use one word to describe Key West, it would be diversity.  It is a splendid mix of people from all different paths of life.  It offers history and a culture all of its own.  As you can tell, there is a wide variety of activities to choose from.  I am hoping the open air yoga studio is back  (it wasn't last time) and I have a gift certificate for the Pra Na Spa.  Mid-afternoon we will be relaxing (napping, reading, writing) from our excursions by the edge of our small heated back yard pool.  The little home we have secured offers a wonderful back porch with an over hang and comfy lounges  for day dreaming and planning our next adventure.

And nothing makes a return visit better than friends.  We will once again be visiting with Sandy and Bill who live on the neighboring island key, Sugar Loaf.  They are wonderful co-conspirators and we will explore everything from Key West Home Tours to Big Pine Flea Markets.  We are able to enjoy the 'local' atmosphere and out of way places with their expert guidance.  Besides, they really are fun folks!

My this all sounds overwhelming and yet I know the month will unfold slowly, casually, and mixed with rich opportunities.  It is a very laid back community and we plan on fitting right in.

Behold this woman named Mel ...

Sometimes you have to be apart from people you love,

but that doesn't make you love them any less.

Sometimes you love them more.

Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song

Melanie, on the surface, is a gentle and polite young woman.  She has long curling blond hair and a delicate face graced with simplistic beauty.  It is in her gentle eyes that I first began to sense that there was much more under the first impressions.

Women are complex creatures, and Mel is definitely multifaceted.  Raised on a farm in Ohio, she attended college in California, and did social work in Chicago.  She has a deep reverence for seniors that is equally bestowed upon animals.

One of her many gifts is working with Mother Nature.  She creates exquisite floral arrangements that are uniquely designed as well as displayed.  She has ten green thumbs that make quick work out of any yard or garden using color, dimension, and a natural grace to the requested task.  She has an inner sense that connects people with their own style and space.

In relationship with Andy, her husband, Melanie is tender, loving, and kind appropriately tempered with humor and strong will.  In friendship, Mel is giving, undemanding, thoughtful and supportive.  She is an excellent natural cook being very health conscious with grains and veggies. She is a 'sister of the heart' and someone who could never be replaced.

Before  imagining her as some piece of fluff or delicate flower, allow me to bring balance to her creative feminine side.  Dear sweet Mel can drive a tractor, tinker with engines, and address electrical wiring.  She has a strong physical strength residing within her slim built frame. 

This last January on the 20th (I'll check that date with Andy),

I had the priviledge of witnessing the birth of their daughter, Juniper Rose (yes, named after my daughter).  Mel's labor persisted all through one day and half way through the night.  The strength of her determination and physical endurance indeed were remarkable.  Although I have given birth to the total of four, watching the birth of this beautiful and healthy babe moved me beyond all imagination. 

As a mother, Melanie is captivated by the miracle of her little child.  She is open to learning, overcomes the imperfections associated with motherhood, and blankets this child in love.  She is a Mama Bear to this baby cub, and I sure wouldn't want to mess with her!

Without being irreverent, I could almost visualize this young woman as a Madonna.  Like some women have been categorized in history,  Melanie presents as a gentle spirit of this world and of that which hovers beyond.  She is a special blend of sweetness and the salt of the earth.  I honor her own birth and celebrate her life as distance has made me love her more.