Treasures.

    Why amidst the sounds of huge passenger planes, the roar of traffic on the nearby highways and the sounds of kids voices do I feel peace?  Where I'm sitting right now the day is ending and the last of the warm rays of the sun are a pleasant reminder of a day of satisfying achievement.

     It's also a  reflection of the many times throughout life that I experienced the closing many such days in many different places, with many different people and under many different circumstances.  As in finishing the days work and coming home to my wife and infant son. Hearing what his latest achievements were, on this particular day he had just learned to roll over. 

      Then spending some time tending the garden on the west side of the house and turning to see mother standing at the front door with our son in her arms, watching. Sure the finances could have been better, the facilities in the house more convenient and yet there was a sense of peace. My beautiful wife never complained at the way things were and we enjoyed time spent with our families. 

        That chapter ended thirty three years ago, but the home still stands. Our son is a father of four ranging from their mid teens to seven and it's great to experience and watch them grow.

    Sadly our marriage became a statistic, but the legacy is that because we chose to share a part of that journey we both now are leaving a legacy through our influencing young lives by being who we are. 

     To experience their trust as they share things that are important to them. Time at the beach with four grandchildren is memorable. A walk along the beach with an eleven year old grand daughter and her five year old brother as the sun set behind us is another treasure that is added to the treasure chest of amazing memories

      So today, as with that day in 1977, there is peace and a certain satisfaction. Today has furnished the time for reflection and contemplation as writers so often do. 

       It is is gratifying to look back on such treasured moments and know of the experience of love and having family and to know that despite everything it has formed a very rich part of the tapestry of my life.