unexpected evening

We had other plans for the weekend. Good plans. Plans that did not include cleaning showers or refrigerators. But the plans changed when I was feeling under the weather. And once I felt myself again, we had to move on to the new plan. After a day of getting projects completed, we headed out to the beach with friends... a picnic dinner and fireworks.

Prepared for hot, sticky evening, I was thoroughly and pleasantly surprised with the breeze that was moving along the beach. And with a glance at the cloud scattered sky, I knew we were promised a magnificent sunset. With my toes stretched out and buried in the sand and my hubby by my side, we enjoyed our sandwiches, and the festive atmosphere around us in the other beach-goers. It was hard to move on from the fact that it was July... in Florida... and the air was delightful.


As predicted, the sunset was glorious... the sky regal... the water washing up on the shore in waves tinted with gold. A moment to sit back and take in... to tuck into your pocket and savor.

The sky was still streaked with its evening colors when the strains of the National Anthem wafted through the air. As we stood, with hands over our heart, I breathed in... and out. I thought about the day. The flag. The USA. The soldiers. The families. My family. I wondered how my own kids were celebrating this evening. The fireworks began with a booming voice, interrupting the whisper of the shore... and cheers broke out across the beach... followed by the predictable oohs and aahs... and a few hearty shouts. I resisted the temptation to turn around and grab my camera... to try and photograph the colorful embers lighting up the night sky. Tonight seemed to be an evening to sit back and just enjoy. And enjoy, I did. Contentment and celebration all rolled into an evening.

An unexpected evening... sometimes the best laid plans are hardly the best after all. Something to remember in the face of the ordinary.

Unwrap a Tuesday at Chatting at the Sky!