Holiday At Home

After a forty-minute drive out of town, it happened; white sand beaches and crystal cerulean waters.  The color seemed almost unnatural, surreal even.  Only a few clouds in the sky and a generous amount of sun.   Sunscreen, sunglasses and water wings.  I could see my neighbor holding my daughter’s hand up ahead.  My son holding mine.  Following footprints on a white coral beach.  Beautifully decorated and exotic shells cluttered the shore.  Black and white striped fish shared the shallow waters as we made our way down the oceanfront.  Low winds, manageable waves and the water like a warm bath.  I catch up.  Smiles on the face of everyone I see.  We find a shallow spot, the kids laugh and search for treasures in the sand.  “This one looks like a K mom.”  She shouts while holding a broken piece of coral.  The hunt to spell our names.  Then a moment of calm, I stop and look out at the aqua blue before me.  I am here.  This place is real.  I live here.  A flash of images.  The buses unloading at the resort, navigating around scattered luggage, families posing for photos.  The bartender hard at work.  This is a place that many people may never see. Some of those that do are staying here at these resorts.  Room rates, tips, followed by a flight back from where they came.  I realized that moment.  This is a blessing.  It was one of those moments where you feel thankful.  We head back, more sunscreen and a fruit smoothie.  The bill.  “Which room are you staying?”  I felt like an imposter mixed in with all the vacationers.  Enjoying the same five-star hotel amenities, the same beautiful beach, the same gorgeous view for free.  “Not too bad.”  Our neighbor says, feet kicked up on a lounge chair.  A stop at one of the hotel pools and then a bite to eat.  Mahi-Mahi fish and chips, fire roasted pizza and lemon cheesecake.  Plates nearly licked clean.  Children covered in sauce, eyes drooping. The day wrapping up.  We reach the car; I look back, “Come on, Sweetie.”  My daughter running to catch up, hands full of freshly picked hibiscus flowers.