I go to Florida at least twice a year to get out of Wisconsin Winter. This past year, it was four times either by myself or taking along family members. My sister lives there and opens her home willingly.
You know what I love most in Florida? The BEACH.
I have no qualms about taunting friends and family with 10-seconds of "Awe" videos while posting on social media. Or sending pictures of my feet buried in the sand or my selfie with the waves in the background. My ultimate euphoria is at sunset. A time-lapse video of the sun setting on the horizon reminds me of the Creator and the power of creation. The awe of which many of us line up for photos, pose up against the sun, and allow the cold water to splash on us for that perfect shot!
I love the beach. Any beach with soft white sand, clear water, gentle waves, ocean breeze with a salty smell and occasional splash of taste. I sit for the solitude, read in the sunlight, rest in the warmth, and people watch. I try to keep my opinions to myself about swimsuit styles, but often I say, "Oh, my" out loud!
I find beach people interactive, friendly, and fun. They will offer you help with a rustic beach chair, loan you their sieve for shark-tooth hunting, and will compare seashell finds with you. They celebrate them, especially the kids. They get so excited that I give away more than I collect.
I have often used the beach as a metaphor in describing events, emotions, and feelings. Today will be no different, because life isn't always a beach (did you see what I did there?)
Sometimes the sand is dirty and rough. The terrain is bumpy and course. The waves are irregular and harsh. The can knock you down and sweep you away. The storms roll in fast bringing dangerous lightening and blasting rain. The wind will blow and toss your belongings. It will become a place of distrust where you seek shelter from its torment.
I have lived that metaphor this year, called life. In September, I lost my job and my place of purpose. I lost my amazing team and the connections we had on a daily basis. I grieved the loss of colleagues who didn't understand the magnitude of my sorrow and grief. I journeyed into unemployment and my job for the past four months is to find a job. Its been endless applications, phone interviews, Zoom meetings, and a few face-to-face meetings with all the same answer...no. I was close, but no cigar as they say.
What I have discovered in this season of life, is that I have some amazing friends and family that check on me through texting, phone calls, coffee or lunch. They have grieved with me, prayed over job interviews, and have sent emails, job offers, text messages that all encourage me to keep persevering even when I don't always respond right away. They are persistent in their quest to support me and for that I am utterly grateful (you know who you are and I love you for it!)
I have reconnected with my husband of 45 years in a new daily normal for us. No more rushing off to work, as he was laid off two days after me, so we start with morning coffee. Talking about today's tasks and tomorrow's dreams. We laugh together, send silly memes to each other, and pray together. I was afraid too much togetherness would make us crazy, but we found solace and companionship on a different level. I am grateful for this man who holds my secrets, my fears, my dreams and prayers in his heart and soul. Occasionally he has held my hand, hugged me tight, and let me cry it out.
Doug is my renaissance man. He has rebuilt the bed of his rusty truck and repainted the whole truck. He has also torn off rotted siding on our house, installed runoff guards, added new siding, and primed it for painting. Knowing resale value is better, just in case, he battles the cold and unpredictable Wisconsin winter daily to finish this massive project.
I have treasured the time I have had the opportunity to travel. I was in four states in December alone - PA, NY, KS, and FL. I have seen sights I never thought I could see in NYC at Christmas because I always worked through November and December. I spent time with my daughter and sister, and we checked on our aging mothers. It was an unhurried trip here and there with early Christmas celebrations with family. We hosted our children and grandchildren plus a few surrogates on Christmas day. We ate delicious meats (4 exactly), opened a few presents, and played take-away Christmas Bingo. Who knew the makeup brush cup and brushes would be so popular or the men's wool socks. True Wisconsinites!
I have valued the opportunity to meet new contacts through consulting firms who saw something in my resume and moved me forward. We built LinkedIn communities for the future. I met impressive CEOs with vision for their organizations.
I learned new insights through reading on leadership development (another passion) and working on blogs for my small business, What She Said, LLC. I continue to be fascinated with personal growth and self-actualization. I'm reading three books right now, and will give commentary in the future:
The 5 languages of Appreciation in the Workplace (Chapman & White, 2019)
Leaders Eat Last (Sinek, 2017)
Lead it Like Lasso (Stockman & Coniglio, 2023)
I have sorted closets, cooked meals daily, grocery shopped, cleaned house, organized the basement, and set up Christmas on November 1st. I love the lights and as of January, 2025, they will remain until its time to pack them up. No rush this year.
Helpful Hint: Walk present with me...not in front or behind...but silently beside. Or make a little noise now and then so I know you are there (wink).
I have committed this journey to prayer, study, and devotion to the one who holds my future. If the apostle Matthew could write a verse which is part of a speech by Jesus where he assures his followers that their lives are valuable, "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered," (Matthew 10:30), who am I to doubt.
So while its been a rough "beach season," I chose this song to convey my reflections. It's by my friend and songwriter, Phil Laeger,
"I'm in His hands, whatever the future holds, I'm in His hands.
The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me.
His way is best you see...I'm in your hands."
Listen to the whole song and be blessed!
Happy New Year ~ Beverly
Thank you for sharing . But please know that you are miss as a friend and a colleague.