Washing off the day

I crept through rush hour traffic.

It had been a long day. Client after client. Each one with a different story. Each one a testament of strength and overcoming.

I feel honored to work with these individuals, honored to connect with them to the depths that they allow me to, but it doesn't stop me from feeling tired. And today their stories weighed on me like layers of other people's lives.

And so I sat in traffic, contemplating a text from Laarni that promised clean sets.

I had sentenced myself to the Koko Head stairs in order to redeem myself from the bedridden disease that overcame me this past weekend. I blamed sickness but I can't lie. Laziness was tangled under the covers with me as well. I hate it when I waste a weekend and felt I needed some form of punishment and push.

But as I sat watching the clear blue skies and still leaves on trees, I decided to let myself off easy.

And so I rushed home, changed, grabbed by board and made my way quickly to Diamond Head. I flew down the goat trail as I raced the fading light of day, feeling almost giddy with anticipation for what was to come.

The water was warmer than I anticipated and I said a silent "thank you."

Paddle, paddle, paddled out to the line up. The cool, salty water on my skin immediately took me far far away from the day. From the office. From everything but the present moment.

I said a quick and cheerful hello to Nic and Laarni as I watched them catch waves I couldn't quite catch myself. It didn't matter. I sat in awe of the beauty of the sky doing yet another glorious finale to the passing of the day.

Sunsets never cease to amaze me. I hope they never ever will.

I waited.

And while I waited, I played with the clouds. They created shapes, not just for me, but I pretended so anyway. I saw a heart, a phoenix, a walrus. I didn't see a lion or an aligator, but both were pointed out to me. Perhaps the clouds made those shapes just for those particular surfers.

They turned into pinkish orange cotton candy but I found myself too mesmerized by the glowing ball of fire sinking into the horizon. Despite knowing better, I stared at anyways, turning away, only when everything started to get spotty.

I began a haiku in my head:

A beauty so pure...

I didn't finish it.

I caught my wave. And a couple more. Feeling alive as I glided up and down the smooth clean curls.

Feeling humbled and slightly embarrassed as I face planted gracelessly.

Feeling challenged and out of breath as I swam for my board.

Feeling grateful for Laarni as she grabbed it for me each time.

I watch fire turn to ash. Orange brilliance turn to a deep blue gray. I stayed in the water until the sun clocked out and the half moon clocked in.

And up the goat trail I went. Huffing and puffing and smiling.

Washing off the day and reminding myself that I must make time for this more often...