Kissing the ocean good-bye

We are packing to leave the coast of Vancouver Island

and return home to Missoula.

We are saying so long, to the ocean, for now.

I will never leave this place for good, this place where my sweet friend lives, 

where I spent my summers as a child,

where my children fell in love with sand and shells and little crabs,

where the sea sings to our souls.

 

The galaxies smiled on us and arranged for a 

spontaneous gathering which was pretty much a family reunion.

My dad and his wife and my two brothers, my mom and sister and nephew.

We spent a day together.

My dad playing with Elliott.

My mom and Saschy.

My sister is on the left.

My two "little" brothers.

Me and my mom.

It was a magical, this day on the beach with everyone. We haven't seen most of them in over a year. Then, after a couple more days of it all, I could barely peel myself off the floor.

An emotional whirlwind.

We returned to the cedar grove with Kelli and her family to ground ourselves.

Last night, we kissed the ocean good-bye.

I have laughed and cried and filled up every cell of me with 

best friend energy and family and soul-full play.

We will be back and as we return home, with twinges of anxiety and questions yet to be answered,

I have seashells to stroke, to remind me of all of me, 

especially the smell of salt water.

Comments

[Heidi]

I well up reading this sweet post! What a true treat it was our time together at the ocean. And you are a great photographer sis because your photos clearly come from your heart ;)

[kris laroche]

i love you, mom.

[erin]

I can feel your love, longing to remain, and yet joy to have lived so soul-fully........the island is a place of completion for me too, and finding good land and new good friends and places to grow our food, our kids and our lives together has been an amazing fruit of this place, that i know as a new home, a place that will be the beginning of many new chapters to be dreamed and written down....
beautiful photos too, Kris! xo

[Grandma Linda]

daughters,sun,wind,sand,ocean,planes, blackberries,tears,laughter,playground,
snacks,thaifood
waterslide,coffee,groceries,blanket tents, bedtime stories,melting popsicles,carseats,sisters,niece,nephews,
friends,exes,wet bathing suits, love,memories,sadness,video camera, dogs,trampoline,bikes,tree swing,corn on the cob,water wings.....family

Grandma Linda xx oo