Rainy May Sunday

The sun chose solitude today as the clouds tightly wove a gray blanket over the heavens. 

"And just what shall you do with this gray day that we bring?"

The clouds cried soft raindrops which gently tapped upon my window:

"Please share with us those moments you are remembering."

So I close my eyes and inspiring visions come in view

as I release all surrounding sights and sounds,

allowing the warm embracement of memories gone by

to lift my spirits as beautiful scenes abound.

Waking up to the invitation of a bright sun.

The feel of your toes sinking into the wet sand,

 as the waves tickle across your feet.

Enjoying an early morning walk with a Southeastern Snowy Plover,

a Ruddy Turnstone,

a sea gull,

hungry dolphins and

pelicans.

Finding familiar treasures you keep,

and ones you carefully return to the ocean;

unfamiliar treasures,

and dangerous ones!

Enjoying a day where no matter where you look:

eagle's nest high...

or higher to where this Swallow-tailed Kite soars;

eye level with a raccoon,

or a Red Tailed Hawk;

down at a juvenile alligator,

or Horseshoe crabs,

you see wonder and beauty no matter what the size.

Large and tall, like this Great Blue Heron

and Reddish Egret;

long and thin like this Yellow Racer;

fast like this lizard,

or slow and steady like this tree crab.

And no matter whether the wildlife is

void of much color like this Great Egret

and Snowy Egret, or

bright and colorful like these Roseatte Spoonbills,

and this Tricolored Heron,

the eyes have a feast to admire and enjoy.

And even though there are days when

not eveyone gets along (like these Woodstorks)

while others are spared from being a gator meal,

while still others are just waiting to swoop down and devour anything they can,

it's still a magical and different adventure every day!

And as I reflect over my adventures, I can still smell the ocean, see the beauty all around, 

and hear the sounds of the birds' conversations carried on the cool breeze.

And so on this unusually chilly and rainy May Sunday,

 I have felt only the warmth of the sun,

from treasured memories tucked away in my heart.

May your heart be overflowing with memories

to sustain you through every kind of day.