Sunset 10- Dorothy's Sunset
I was out of bed this morning at 7:30 am because my phone was all the way over on my desk, then I went to the bathroom, drank some water, took my nebs into my room where I looked back and forth between my bed and therapy, the bed won! IT IS NOT FAIR that I have to rally myself from horizontal bliss to just go sit for 45 minutes clearing my lungs! ::sulking Brice among the covers ::received a lovely text from an awesome friend and I dragged myself out of bed not to disappoint her! I got my booty moving all the way to the office because I decided, I was going to waste time at home and I might as well get right to work! I arrived at the office (dressed really well I might add) and began my daily tasks. When I was waiting from my boss for some paperwork I checked my e-mail where I read the most endearing email from said best friend above. Summing it up wouldn't do it justice, but the conversation we have started is beautiful. The encouragement I received to keep writing, to do what I love and what I believe God intended me to do was another confirmation I'm on the right path! I wrote back a response and I can't wait to keep the conversation going.
I finished my work in time for the sunset. I was going in a completely different way with this blog until I had a divine appointment. I had my sights set on a location high above the water thinking the clouds in their vibrate colors would be captured best. Due to running a little late because of a last minute making of a grocery store list call with my mom, I diverted, due to traffic, to a street that slopes down where there is a bluff that has a bench and some sectioned of grass for dogs. There is a pathway down to a large field and some other houses. So you can't just park right by it, I had to drive down the street and I drove out of my way so I wasn't really in front of a house. There was no one else parked on the streets, so it was obvious. I took it as a peaceful time to take a walk anyway, since I've ceased exercise for a couple days due to back pain. I walked along the beautiful houses and made it to the clearing with some time to spare. I am trying not to look directly at the sun so I don't burn my eyes. I said hello to this older woman who was walking her brown and white dog. She paused and I asked if I could pet her dog. She said yes, her name was Sarah. After a few moments, I said thanks and we walked in opposite directions. I started taking photos and playing with the exposure time to heighten the colors a little more. I continued to the end of the path that meets the street that goes down and just gazed at the clouds. I played a little more with different shots, when I was asked, can you see the island? I turned and there was the lady again. I walked over to her and said yes, just the very top of the island (Catalina) through the clouds. She then told me she had macular degeneration, but she liked seeing the outline of the island when the sun set. She told me how she could see the island and the long beach harbor from her back porch and she liked walking along this street. Then for the next 10 minutes she shared her life with me. Dorothy will be 90 years old (popular name for woman that age, I've met several recently) on January 5th, she meet her husband at a dance when she was 17, they spent 60 years together before he passed 10 years ago. She lives in a house down the street (yes, she walks up this very steep slope) where just before her husband died, planted rose bushes and an orange tree. She said she can't see details but outlines of things far away if she looks at them indirectly. Dorothy said at her church they have big screens so she can read the hymnals (bingo, sounds like mine) Indeed, Dorthy and I go to the same church. We talked about how we love the new pastor. We both love his sense of humor and how he includes the historical context to help apply the lesson to our lives. Dorothy then told me she didn't make it last Sunday because her son didn't feel up too it, he was having surgery Tuesday. Oh, may I ask what kind of surgery? kidney stones. Okay, I can pray for that. She smiled at me and said would you? That would be great, you know he graduated from USC (uh huh) and got all these awards for sculpture. He was a war artist in Vietnam, (no way, can we have anymore in common, my dad was in Vietnam), Yes, he has paintings in the pentagon. She then told me how she walks to the stores and gets around just fine. I should have taken a picture of these slopes streets! I said I commend you on getting out and walking and not letting your eyes stop you. She says well you have to when you can't drive, and Sarah here can't go with me always because she gets to tired. ( I don't think I could keep up with this woman) We talked a little more about our church and the ocean views, when she said she needed to get back. She told me she couldn't make out the details of my face and I said don't worry, when I see you at church I'll be sure to say hello. Thanks for enjoying the sunset with my Dorothy.