Drive Back Home
She drives down that pacific coast highway heading North. Maybe in a jeep with the roof top off. Driving, daydreaming, crying, laughing, cry-laughing, singing, wondering, smiling. Ignorant confidence in what lies ahead. Leaving the past just there. Erasing all the pain that has ever been, The wind in her hair does that for her. Blonde sparkling streaks catching each individual light particle. Washing her new with every mile.
Of course she is driving - this leg of the trip anyway. But make no mistake, he is by her side. Holding her right hand now then her left when they switch. No words are needed. That is what the cozy evenings are for. Reconnecting. Hashing out each favorite moment of the day in great detail. Many of which include the animated reactions of the four-legged-floof who has been tagging along in the back seat.
Three pairs of green eyes soaking in all creation has to offer. Cheeks ever so slightly sunkissed. The fall rays still shine through and leave evidence in the form of freckles and rosy grins.
There is no rush, no plan. Well there is semblance of a plan but only as a compass, not as guard rails. If one day is a spontaneous horse ride alongside the waves, the next is hide-and-seek where the redwoods grow and grow and grow, and the last is skipping the tucked away lemon meringue painted cottage and sleeping under the stars, there is nothing to hold them back.
Evolving like the flat but bubbling clouds overhead, chasing sunsets, resting when it feels right, and returning to an embrace at every “in-between”.
Nothing is off limits or unreasonable. There is no fear or concern. No logistics. Just exploration and freedom and the weightlessness that is included….
Bright beams from what seems to be a lighthouse ruffle her feathers. Aren’t lighthouses an east coast thing? Earth’s 360 completes again. Those beams turn out to be the morning sun and not a lighthouse at all.
Undecided about whether to be happy about this dream or grumpy that it is time to get up and start the day, either way there is an underlying warmth because he is there next to her in the awake times too.
Navigating harsh realities and responsibilities, reasonable though they may be, together. The bond, stronger day over day. This less whimsical adventure is still part of that plan and, although different, ends up just as beautiful.
It's off to the gym, only so she can come back to a cup (or two) of coffee and tackle the workday ahead. Busying her mind till he comes back home too. Home to her longing, loving heart, where they meet once more.
