Kauai

As I listen to Pepper, driving along the coast line of Kauai in a borrowed 4Runner, calm acceptance is everywhere. Something about island life, you can’t go far, so there’s no point in going fast. Locals flash their lights, indicating you can cross the one-way bridge first because they don’t mind waiting on the other side. Fresh fish signs are placed outside the houses of fishermen selling their daily catch. The afternoon clouds roll in quickly offering up the famous rainfall, and showcase why the center of the Island is one of the wettest places on the planet. From the music in the airport, to the girls working at the coffee shop, to the sea turtles I snorkeled with, vibes are chill. It feels impossible to be productive, because the island knows you need to be productive in other ways.

Lying on the beach, staring at palm trees swaying, I fall into that very place on earth, and it becomes difficult to go elsewhere. The waves invite me into a playful meditation without me even realizing what’s happening. As I attempt to body surf a too big wave and snot rocket salt water out my nose, there’s no room to worry about the mishaps of days prior or wonder about the coming days. For now, my swimsuit bottom is sagging with sand and my eyes are blinded by sun.

I try to take this presence back to the mainland with me, but 14 hours into a travel day, after me and my husband’s second flight has been delayed and things aren’t looking good for making our last connection, it becomes easy to get frustrated at a situation that’s no one’s fault. My husband and I exchange words about how the other should have done more or didn’t do enough. But then Kyle checks the flight status of our missed connection to see that it was also delayed, and when we look out the window we see our next plane waiting right beside the one we’re on, with just enough time to run and be the last people to board. We look at each other after the moments of stress and smile because none of it was a big deal, and we made it. The universe has our back, and things tend to work out if we learn to just chill the fuck out and go with the flow. Thanks for the lessons and extra freckles Kauai.