The Door

My daughter Stephanie's photo

of Chestermans Beach, where dogs are most joyous

In the middle of my life,

the door to the life of my dreams

stood ajar.

I peeked in.

All the wonders of the universe 

awaited,

if I had the courage 

to leap: the ocean,

and whales, 

old-growth trails,

nature, pristine and beautiful 

and wild -

the place where my soul belonged.

If I stayed in place,

it meant giving up my dream.

And I knew I couldn't live

without a dream.

It took trust and a far-flung prayer

to take me from where I was

tamely living

to being there,

where I became Wild Woman

and lived the ten most joyous

years of my life.

         ***

I have mourned that loss

all the years since,

longed to return,

nearly gave up hope.

And now, suddenly,

in my dwindling years,

the door to that life

has opened once more:

one more chance

to experience the beauty
of the shore.

In old age,

one more mighty leap

over the mountains,

back to the song of the sea,

and the ancient trees,

proving the universe brings gifts

to those ready and willing

to receive,

and that life can change 

in a heartbeat

from resigned but grateful living

to the realization of a

long-held dream.

My friends, I had given up hope that it would happen, and was at peace with that, when the call came: a small suite in the apartment complex in Tofino. I am sorting and packing, and still can hardly believe it is happening. I will have more beach walks and sunsets before I die. I am, of course, nervous and rattled, but also am feeling the rightness of this, that I have wanted for so long. I just keep thinking of how my windows will look out on big old trees, and, with my window open, I might even be able to hear the song of the sea. Wow, hey? I will be there for the Whale Festival, when the Baja whales arrive on their whale highway. Whu-hoo! Once again I will stand on the dunes and watch. Maybe I will sing.

I read something the night before the phone call came: that this year the planets are aligning, as they do only rarely. That during this time, if you have a dream that has been blocked and you get offered it, SAY YES! Do not let fear hold you back. So I said yes. And yes. And yes.

for Sumana's very cool prompt at Midweek Motif at Poets United, which will post tomorrow : The Door. And for the Tuesday Platform at Real Toads.