As we walked out of the California Pizza Kitchen this afternoon into the brilliant Santa Monica sunshine, I noticed a sign on the church across the street advertising a "stimulus package for your soul".
There is something about an ocean beach that fills me with joy. It's not the warm sand between my toes or even the sound of gulls. I've stood on stormy beaches when the night was dark and rain pelted my face. It's the roar of the waves and relentless push from the surf. Each crashing wave expands and excites me.
That's the perfect metaphor for these past few days. Two days into our Southern California vacation and my soul feels light. The hotel room may be a little bit small. No matter. The mattress may be a bit too hard and a tad narrow. I'll manage. I have sunny skies, big waves and a happy family.
The beach was our first destination yesterday as soon as we landed at LAX and picked up the rental car. Thelma was smart enough to pack swimsuits separately so the kids could change into them when we got to the beach. They couldn't wait, though. No sooner had we parked than the doors to our rental car flew open and all three of our kids raced for the water. Thelma called after them to stay out of the water. I could tell she was frustrated and didn't want them to get wet. Ordinarily, I would unleash my "Dad voice" and yell for them to get back up to the car and change. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I may have been standing next to the car like a good boy, but I could feel the pull every bit as strongly as Mark, Braeden and Emma. The water, the waves were calling me.
There is something about an ocean beach that fills me with joy. It's not the warm sand between my toes or even the sound of gulls. I've stood on stormy beaches when the night was dark and rain pelted my face. It's the roar of the waves and relentless push from the surf. Each crashing wave expands and excites me.
We had to go back to the beach today after lunch. We piled into the rental car and headed north on the Pacific Coast Highway to see what we could find. Somewhere between Santa Monica and Malibu we saw a swarm of kite surfers. I quickly made a U-turn and pulled over to the side of the road so we could watch. If there is anything I love as much as the ocean, it's the wind. You can imagine my envy as I watched the kite surfers simultaneously ply the wind and waves. I was in heaven just watching.
It is getting late now. I need to sleep so I'll have a modicum of energy as we tackle Disneyland tomorrow. But there is so much more I want to write. I want to describe the overwhelming serenity we all felt as we walked the garden grounds at the Los Angeles Temple. We may not have gone to church today, but we felt the Holy Spirit all the same. I want to describe the fantastic Getty Center sitting atop a hill outside LA with its collection of paintings and sculpture. I want to marvel at the fact that I didn't think twice about paying $10 for parking. I want to go on and on about the travertine walls, the wildly fantastic gardens and the breath-taking views toward the ocean.
I suppose I'll sleep instead. Maybe I can relive this day in my dreams. If I'm so lucky, I'll happily pay another $10 for parking. Me! Paying for parking! It's a small price to revive the soul.
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