There are few things in this world as peaceful and peace inducing as a walk on the beach. This even more true if you can do it at sunrise or sunset. when it is not a playground for the masses. I think my favorite time is sunrise, the beach is clean, there are undisturbed shells and those few people you see are there for the same quiet communion. A quick, quiet hello is all the conversation one needs at that time of day.

I'm still trying to adjust to this concept of retirement, and in the end I may not quite make it and end up doing something to keep my hand in the game as it were. But two weeks in Florida after a fairly brutal winter is enough to make anyone think that retirement is way more than it was cracked up to be.

I'm sitting on the deck of the condo we are renting and watching the beach today. It seems to almost breathe; the day dawns with a quiet almost empty stretch of sand and over the course of the day it gathers people; each taking their own slice of paradise, a little blue umbrella, a beach chair, a yellow and white stripped towel. Lunch time comes and maybe there is a shallow exhale as folks leave go in and refuel for the afternoon. Then the afternoon inhale brings back the hoards. It will remain this way until late in the afternoon as folks leave to go inside and recover...wash off the sand and salt, put on some soothing lotion and trying to quiet down for an evening's rest.

I'm generally not one for crowded anythings...beaches included. So it is not surprising, then, that I find the early mornings and late evenings to be my favorite times to go there, but, it is not just the lack of crowds that makes these times of the day special. Somehow it is a time when it feels like God is walking on His beach too. You can actually hear the lapping of the waves, feel the shifting of the sands beneath your feet, see the shells as they tumble in and feel the breeze coming on shore to greet you. It is also a time when you can allow those breezes to clear your head and enjoy some quiet time, distraction free, to think, pray, or just dream.

There is a lot going on in my transitioning life. Retirement brings its own challenges, what to do with one's self. Then there is the potential of an upcoming move. Not quite two years ago we moved to the midwest for a job and by luck to be closer to our family. Well, as recorded earlier the job has ended and now the family is talking about moving west. So my quiet talks with God on the beach this morning were mostly about moving...should we, if so where to. Don't get me wrong, staying close to family is important but moving west puts us farther from our other child and make the commute to see them in Europe even longer and more expensive. Then there is the location, the Pacific Northwest. It is known for its overcast, drizzly, wet climate that produces the beautiful emerald green world for which it is also known.

We aren't sure that the depressingly grey skies are our first choice for the golden years. But there is the strong draw of a soon-to-be three year old's smile or the twinkle in his brothers eye that makes the idea of not moving almost unbearable. Maybe this is the time to really downsize and move to something much smaller and more manageable so that we can travel more and spend more time abroad. Maybe it is a time to put down roots that will last the rest of our lives? I'm not sure that really ever works in this world but maybe.

So much to think about. For now, the beach is a welcome retreat. It gives us time to just slow down, think and breathe. It also gives us time to relax with dear friends and spend some time with others who have gone down the path before us to think out loud about the decisions. And, the beach is also giving us some time to just have fun. So for now, I think I am just going to see if I can find my lost shaker of salt...settle into Margaritaville and maybe look into fishing some pilings. Tonight, I'll walk the beach with the sunset.