Winds of Change

The trade winds have returned.   Oh, thank goodness.   Hawaii, while paradise in many ways, is insufferably humid and sticky when the air stills, which it did for awhile lately.

But on our evening walk, we were able to play in the breezes coming off the inlet to Pearl Harbor.   There's a large grassy park area just up the street where one can let a dog off-leash and run like a fool.   Now, I'm no fan of running (while at the FBI Academy, I told them that I run either "after" or "away from"... i.e. if one of us has a gun, I'll run), it's infinitely more fun when doing so with a baby and a German Shepherd.

While playing with Azzie, I turned to find Emily laid flat-out on the grass, staring up at the sky.   She was signing to herself--"moon", "cloud"--and gazing in delight at the azure skies.   How does a child of one and a half know to do that?   I went and joined her, which amused her to no end.   We had such a great time enjoying the beauty of the sky and the setting sun, and stood with arms spread and faces upturned to feel the cool evening breezes over every inch of our bodies.

There's a lovely half-moon out tonight, and I think one of my favorite visions on this planet is the shimmer of moonlight on the top of palm leaves.   Fortunately, there are coconut palms all around our house, so I can watch this out of my bedroom window at night.

These are the moments it feels so good to be alive. Thanks, Lord, for giving me the chance to see it through a baby's eyes and to show her the value of soaking it all in.