The New Decade

I was not ready for the new year, much less a new decade. I felt a little heartsick because I have family members battling the ravages of time in far away hospitals and friends who I love so much I consider them my extended family that are experiencing illnesses and loss. I couldn’t seem to shake it, not even when my favorite January centerpiece of camellias and Holly berries was on the kitchen counter.

Then it was time for our trip to Florida. We visited Anna Maria Island for the first (and hopefully, not last) time. We stayed at the Bungalow Beach Resort, a not to be missed Old Florida gem. It helped that this was the view off our back porch less than ten feet away….

But, believe it or not, that wasn’t the best part, although the sound of waves and smell of salt water always lifts my spirits. It was that six out of my nine siblings were there too! My sisters who live farther north than Alabama don’t take much arm twisting to go to Florida in January and our baby brother lives near by with his beautiful wife and two precocious sons.

It was just what I needed. Since we had a beach front bungalow as did sister Lori, we could bebop back and forth and visit. As one of my sisters noted, as long as at least one of us was on the beach, we all could be! Good restaurants were within walking distance and there was a free trolley for further jaunts. Lest I start sounding like the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce, the most important thing was being together.

Saturday night we descended upon my brother’s house, by invitation from he and his wife, and had a taco party. Whoever said you shouldn’t have too many cooks in the kitchen was simply wrong! I’d say instead that many hands make short work….. and terrific tacos!

I returned home refreshed and with a renewed spirit. Bad things are still happening to the people I love, but somehow my heart is better prepared for them. Seeing the amazing people my siblings have become makes me recognize once again how important family is to the core of my being…and always will be.

We pulled in the driveway to see two daffodils in full bloom almost three weeks early…. that can only do a heart good.