Vacation thoughts from home

Will I  remember the way it feels to step from dry coolness in a small condo, out into a warm, humid, sunny walk way lined with mini palm trees and other tropical plants? To walk across the driveway with the squeek of my flip flops and the smell of my sunscreen? Will I forget the way I always tried to see as many geckos as I could, those cute little lizard guys who live all about the complex just scittering and scattering about?  When you come home from vacation in South Western Florida to the "north we know".. its almost like someone plucks you from a dream and drops you harshly back into a cold pool, where there are no palms, no geckos, no amazing vegetation and spectacular sunsets.

Will I remember being able to say, "I'm going to the pool" and just go over to it?"  The white powder sand on the beach, and the 88 degree water that envelopes you in a salty floating paradise under a blue sky, will they fade away into merely photos?  Probably.

What I will never forget is the look on Daniel's face as he is mesmerized by the plane taking off, by the feel of the Florida heat, by the warmth of the ocean, by the lights in the ceilings, by the soft waves coming in and out leaving so many gorgeous white shells.  And Daniel's face as John carries him into the pool, wraps a pool noodle around him, and just floats around.  That look of joy, comfort, freedom, relaxation, and love.  Secure in Dad's arms he lets his body float, kick, and splash.  He bares a farmers tan from his rash guard shirt, and sports a few bug bites on his toes from rogue biting flies that get us all. That face so simple and gentle soaking in the world with his eyes and noticing intricate details of a typical day that to him are amazing. 

Seeing him happy is the reason why we do it.  If it were not for family who love us, we wouldn't be able to witness that joyful face in a place so different and so stimulating.   It is just pure happiness in the moment.  Daniel is pure happiness and truth in the moment too.  The rest of us are all wrapped up in our complications.  Daniel is just enjoying life as it comes and presents new things for him to experience. 

It's simple and completely spectacular.