I live here.  10 minutes away from salty kisses and sandy toes.

This was the dream.  All my life, I longed to be near the calming sound of the ocean waves and have shells in my pocket whenever I wanted.  Somehow, within the confusion of daily life, I turned the dream in to my reality.

I was married here.  This boardwalk was my aisle at my wedding.  Yes, it was beautiful.  Me, my new husband and my son literally walked off in to the sunset together on the beach.

I had my daughter here.  That beautiful, happy girl with Disney princess eyes, jealousy inducing curls and a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts.  This one was taken just a few days ago.

But before that, I realized I hadn’t been to the beach in exactly one year.  I have been too busy: trying save the company I loved so dearly, learning how to be a new mother again, caring for my existing family & my house.

Too busy to enjoy my dream.  I had worked for this life I created with everything I had in me, for myself and my son.  I was too busy worrying to enjoy it.

Then, one day, Hubs dragged me out of the house kicking and screaming reluctantly to enjoy a day with my family.  I stepped out of the car, with my daughter in tow, and saw this:

For the first time in a year, I smelled the beautiful salty air and heard the soothing sounds of the surf.  After a month of tears, mourning my old life, I breathed and relaxed.

And that’s just the thing!  I was so busy trying to save what was, I couldn’t enjoy what is.  And you know what?  All that worry and it accomplished nothing good.

So, on that day, I played in the water with Hubs and my little girl, we ate lunch on the beach, and napped in the sun.  The Dude was off with his Nono, but he’ll join us next time (see here for character references).

After a salty kiss, I made Hubs promise to drag me out of the house more often.  Except this time, it wouldn’t be kicking and screaming so  reluctantly.

–With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy.

-Desiderata