Another beautiful day arrives, but today it is without the sunrise beginning; too many clouds are hanging in the sky, low and dark with the threat of release. I pull myself out of my sleeping bag, stretch, open the door, and inhale the salty smell of liberation from the rat race. I smile with the knowledge of knowing what it means to be true to myself, to follow the voice of internal dialogue, and to stand with courage among my fears and scars. I don’t know what a better life looks like.
I start my day with coffee and oatmeal, a routine breakfast both cheap and convenient. I spend ten minutes setting up the pocket rocket, boiling the water, making the instant coffee and oatmeal, and tearing everything down. The simple conveniences are enough to satisfy my hunger and bring gratitude for the meal. Especially one I didn’t have to retrieve from a treasure can. I complete my breakfast and head to the laundromat to get a shower and clean my clothing.
Unfortunately, I arrived an hour early, they’re closed. I spend the hour running to the bank, grabbing some more conditioner, and cleaning the vehicle. When I return to the laundry mat I try to be as efficient as possible. I put my clothes in the washer, which is 13 dollars a wash. Life above the 59th parallel. While my clothes are washing I get a shower, 30 minutes for 10 dollars, and clean myself. This is a reasonable price for a shower with provided linen. I have enough time to shave, brush my teeth, wash myself, and get all the knots out of my curly hair. I return the soiled linen to the hamper and move my laundry to the dryer. It’s only 4 dollars to dry, but 27 dollars for the total. More than I would like, but options are limited when staying in the smaller, more remote communities. It’s the way I travel. I’m just not a big city guy. In truth I like to keep it under 10,000 people and that’s my upper limit. With my chores done I go for a relaxing, but chilly walk.
As I pass driftwood and bull kelp from a former existence I can’t help but imagine where it came from. The kelp torn loose by a sea otter frolicking with its sibling and the driftwood a distant reminder from a life across the ocean. Neither is probably true, but neither might be inaccurate. This is life’s beauty revealed in opportunity. My thoughts are interrupted by the unmistakable sound of an eagle. Its juvenile age distinguished by its brown and white appearance accompanied with a beak dipped in black. The gulls, who had been in peaceful bobbing, spread their wings and take flight, returning after a couple minutes and the eagles departure. The rest of the walk was a calm meditation with soft music resonating from the ocean’s breath.
When I return to the vehicle I head over to pick up my brother and spend the evening with him. We’ll share this time together and, with work, improve the relationship we have been growing.
“The only source of knowledge is experience” ~Albert Einstein
RighteouslyUnscripted 