Our Days, Our Strides

One Day. We gambol down the St. Augustine beach,
Comfortably warmed by the hot sand between our toes,
Our spirits lifted by the salty breeze in our hair

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

The silly sand pipers, atop their backward knees,
Chase a receding wave (melting into the surf)
Then quickly retreat as the next one bubbles ashore.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

We pause to bear witness as the doves spill from a
Broken sand dollar onto the other brilliant shards
And shells layered upon the beach: Ocean’s bounty.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

Shimmering sea foam breaks free into the breeze, as a
Surreally purple Portuguese Man O’ War
Struggles fruitlessly to return to its sea home.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

Filled by sights and sounds. An excited shepherd mix
Bounds into the waves after his favorite stick,
Barking a hymn of praise as the next wave soaks him.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

Every day, with you by my side, I’ll never fear the tide.
Let our grey manes, reflecting in the distant sun’s glare,
Draw stares from young families playing on the beach.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

From the 1^st Grade spelling flashcards to our last walk
Down the beach, in my mind, as you struggled to take
Your last, labored breaths, you point out the way.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

Our last day. As the beach narrows, we hesitate,
Savoring the salty air. We embrace and kiss,
Knowing it’s our final shared lesson: Our goodbye.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

You walk on in splendor and grace. And I walk back.
Alone. Forever thankful for your many gifts:
My Mom, my compass. For showing me what love is.

Light, so light, our strides.
With your love and strength as my compass, I’ll never be lost.

December 11, 2012, for my mother, Mary Louis (Junkin) DesSoye, 1932 – 2012