I like this picture (Pensacola Beach, 2006). I think the smell of salt water is one of my favorite parts of being near the beach, even more than sun, sand, swimming, etc. Looking at this photo I get the same feeling, like when you first get near the shore and think you smell salt water and stop and focus really hard and take a slow, even sniff. Ahhh, I can feel the peace go in my lungs and spread out through my shoulders and back.
My grandmother on my dad’s side, Grannie Annie or Grandmom, died this morning. Or…at least I found out this morning. It’s all a little fuzzy with the 14-hour time difference etc. and I am le sad to be away from my family. I’m so helpless here to comfort, to listen, to be another pair of hands to do things that need to be done. This is not one of the things we considered when moving to Japan. I was more concerned about missing my adorable nieces and nephews; losing grandparents wasn’t even on my radar. I’m not exactly sure what would be different if we were still in the States, but at least I wouldn’t be an ocean away.