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| Photo by: Samara Sherin Delaveaga Park, Santa Cruz, CA, 2023 |
The wisdom of trees radiated...radiated through me. We wandered into those woods with pure joy fed by gentle wishes being fulfilled, impromptu. Ira the dog smiled at us as we wandered deeper up the trail of giant trees and clover.
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| Photo by: Samara Sherin Delaveaga Park, Santa Cruz, CA, 2023 C. S. Sherin and redwood tree |
Just at my height, the great downward spreading of the redwood trunk (to unfathomable roots below) called me close. Like beloved family who are usually separated by distance, the hug is filled with so much open-hearted friendship, gratitude, and love. There are no words for what was felt. There are no words for the exchange. But, sweet daughter documents the moment, unknown to me. So, the depth of the moment is carried on.
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| Photo by: C. S. Sherin 11th Hour Coffee Shop art, Santa Cruz, CA, 2023 |
The morning after we sat at the coffee shop bar for breakfast. This painting said so much...like an echo and an answer. Silent affirmation. Sweet, profound connection, singular and collective.
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| Photo by: C. S. Sherin Santa Cruz, CA, 2023 |
Upon the ocean shores...relief, bliss, and a deep easing mingled. Each wave, gentle to crashing, sent new and renewed energy upon the air, upon the skin, eyes, ears, nose, and toes.
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| Photo by: C. S. Sherin Santa Cruz, CA, 2023 |
Profuse blooms accentuate each angle above algae-dipped aged crags upon the aqua to deep blue ocean. Heavy, graceful pelicans soar across in front of us, over their time and place, as seagulls cry and call. So many gregarious dogs loll and saunter, race, and gallop...making one beach along this cliff a heaven. Yes, we stood there and felt it...it has to be one of the happiest. places. on earth.
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| Photo by: C. S. Sherin Ceramics by Josh Renaud Aptos, CA, 2023 |
The wedding was everything. A joy in our hearts. Carried onward. And all the moments surrounding it held so much and many kinds of love, appreciation, presence, synchronicity, space, hilarity, and thoughtful gestures. The dancing, flowers, palm trees, hugs, laughter, tears, nourishment, new and old connections all came together to witness and celebrate. The fog that whisked in at sunset did not reach this place. Love is so often...a triumph.
The drive to the airport, the flight home made the day long. The drive home at midnight stretched longer than normal as we drove through fog as thick as clouds. We kept wondering if our plane ever landed, as we drove endlessly, it seemed, through a fog that made it feel as though nothing is real. At home, it feels now that home isn't an exact place. The heart holds a sense of home. Home has expanded to another location where old and new friends, love, land, kindness, and wonder kept multiplying...and insisted on welcoming us to stay.
xoxo
C. S. Sherin
May 2023
