The Kindred Spirit

Good Morning Bloggy Friends,
A warm welcome to those of you joining us from today's Proverbs 31 Ministries devotional.

My husband Tom and I are just four days away from our vacation on Sunset Beach and yes I am just like an excited child counting down the days.

In fact, I'm counting the hours until I put my toes in the sand and feel the ocean breeze blowing through my thick and curly desperately needing some color grey roots showing hair.

I can hardly wait to walk on the beach, passing the bathing beauties and children playing in the surf to reach the quiet and secluded spot at the edge of Bird Island. That's where I'll find

The Kindred Spirit.

Visiting The Kindred Spirit is a vacation tradition for me, I've been making the 45 minute walk at least once a year for the 24 years we have vacationed on Sunset Beach.

In all the times I've visited The Kindred Spirit I've never written anything in the journals but this year I will.

This year I will write about the deep loss I feel as I grieve my daddy's death.

This year I will write about the precious friends who call me to check on me and to offer words of encouragement.

This year I will write about the joy I feel over my daddy's complete healing as he has been released from a sick and paralyzed body to dance with our sweet Jesus.

This year I will write about the bitter sweet feelings grief brings.

This year I will write about the presence of God I have experienced in the midst of my grief.

This year I will write about the truths I know despite the feelings I feel.

Oh friends, I wish I could pack you in my suitcase and take you with me to Sunset beach in just four short days.

We would meet our best friends Lisa and Rudy and you would love them to pieces.

We would laugh till our sides split and we would cry as we talk about sweet memories.

We would eat fried seafood; especially hush puppies. Yes, hundreds of hush puppies smeared with honey butter.

We would talk and shop and watch funny movies.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is our favorite.

We would give ourselves homemade facials, manicures and pedicures while the men watch sports and the Three Stooges.

We would stay up late and walk to the pier just to see what they are catching.

We would read, ride bikes and play Boccie Ball on the beach.

Oh friends, it's going to be a grand time of relaxation, rest, rejuvenation and restoration and I wish you were going to be there!

Since the beach house isn't quite large enough to accommodate us all, I'd love to hear what you like doing best on vacation and what you might write in the journals of The Kindred Spirit.

As I continue my packing and counting down the minutes I'll leave you with a few of my favorite pictures.

I can't wait to read your posts!