After a long hard day of watching her mom paddle-board across Hanalei Bay, there's nothing that Cooper likes more than just relaxing in her chair while soaking in the spectacular view from the Hanalei Pier. The bright green mountains and the crystal clear water provide the perfect backdrop for her to stop and reflect on what it means to live in such a beautiful place. The soft, sugary sand helps to remind her that living here is a blessing and just a tad out of the ordinary... even if it's all in a day's work for her.Linda and Cooper went up the road to the North Shore for a Monday play date with our friends Carolyn, Russell, and Tyler. Sadly, I had to stay behind and work (which may come as a shock to some blog-o-rama readers). But, as I spent some time thinking about this fantastic picture of my daughter's childhood, I couldn't help but think about the wonderful joy that comes from living in such a unique place. Not only did my daughter spend the day with her sweet little friend on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but I realized how wonderfully formative this type of experience will be for all of us.
Yesterday I worked, but I also managed to find time for an early-morning paddle on the Wailua river AND a lunchtime bike ride up the coast. Who has time for sleeping late or eating big lunches when there is so much to do? Sometimes I get accused of bragging about living in such a great place, but the truth is... I'm not so much bragging as sharing what I'm learning about life. I'm convinced that living here has allowed me to make sure my priorities are in order so that moments like Cooper's aren't missed doing something else. As Ferris Bueller says: "life moves pretty fast..." and we absolutely need to stop and take a look around every once and a while. Thank God we've got a place that allows all three of us the luxury to do that.
As I was walking to the post office yesterday, I began to wish that I was up at the beach with the girls rather than taking care of the everyday stuff that All Saints' requires of me. But then I realized that I was walking toward a post office that sits at the foot of a beautiful mountain five hundred feet from the Pacific Ocean- the same one that my daughter was gazing upon just up the road. I was carrying a large coconut to give to my friend Aaron who runs the shave ice stand next to the grocery store. I realize that this is not an everyday occurrence for most people. How often do we drive down the road and see a priest (collar and all) carrying a coconut on his way to get a shave ice? How often to we stop and take notice of the little silly things that are given to us on a daily basis as reminders of Grace? This was God's way of reminding me to pay attention... and smile more. :)
p.s. on the way home I had a cotton candy shave ice with a sno-cap- it is now my new favorite.
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