Mom was down in San Clemente for her usual week at her timeshare. I opted to join on Saturday, staying Saturday night and into Sunday morning (her birthday!) and help her check out/load up her car etc.
I also needed this mental break. Sitting on the balcony watching the ocean. Going to sleep that night on the pull out, next to the windows, listening to the waves crash. I didn't care it was cold, those windows were open all night.
Since November my nights have been waking up constantly to the bells jingling around my pups neck when he shifts positions, or moves about the bedroom. We have to keep watch on him now with constant seizures. My anxiety has spiked due to this as well as rolling into the lovely journey known as Peri-menopause. Also being a light sleeper, sharing the bed with my husband and my cat tend to make for being awoken many times throughout the night. So sleeping alone, next to the ocean was pure bliss. I did wake up often, but the gentle waves lulled me right back to sleep.
This trip, I ended up sitting on that balcony the entire day. Mom and I left in the morning to walk Del Mar and have breakfast, then down to the pier for an early dinner, but other than that - my ass was on that balcony all day watching the people, the ocean, chatting with my mom when she joined me off and on, sipping wine. My mom has a pair of binoculars, so I found myself watching the people throughout the day from my perch.
It made me think of my youth. I remember coming down to the beach and spending hours upon hours with friends. This particular visit down it seemed to be Spring Break. I watched young girls in barely clad bikinis strutting around. Watching the young boys run up to the girls and try to chat or impress, or one particular Skater boy kept asking girls to video him doing skateboard tricks. I watched another young man walk up to a couple of girls sunbathing and try to have a conversation - it didn't look like it went well as he sulked away with a friend, the girls giggling after. At one point I saw young boys on a hotel balcony shouting phone numbers down to some girls below who were squealing back and laughing.
There were families about. Pop ups, tents, umbrellas scattered along the beach. It reminded me of the days we used to camp down at San Clemente State Beach and we would walk down the massive hill with all of our beach luggage and set up for the day. Mom packed lunches and snacks, water toys galore and we'd be down there all day long. I watched these children run to and fro from the ocean, missing being that age.
There were people walking dogs, apparently a handstand competition, people jogging, playing volleyball, pushing littles on swings. There was a group of marines flexing and taking selfies and gawking at the girls that walked by. There was some sort of professional little romantic tent set up where a couple was taking pictures and stayed there until dark.
I watched the birds sing and dart in and out of parts of the timeshare. Sailboats and ships far out in the ocean - oh if I could be on a boat! I could see the outline of Catalina. I found myself missing my Papa. He was the only other person in our family that would sit out there all day with me on the balcony and people watch. I think of him every time I'm down there.
The next morning, mom and I were up early enjoying coffee on the balcony. So quiet and peaceful. The sun like little sparkling diamonds all across the water. It's like the world had paused. We wandered down for breakfast, then a walk out on to the pier where we were treated to a pod of dolphins swimming south. Oh how my Papa would have loved to see that!
I'm truly grateful for moments like these. Moments that remind me of what wonderful memories I have down in San Clemente. What wonderful memories I continue to make. And how important it is to step away from the harsh reality of life sometimes and be reminded of the beauty that nature has to offer.
 |
On our morning walk
|
 |
| What I did all day |
 |
| Mimosa |
 |
| Rose |
 |
| Happy Birthday Mama |
 |
| Well hello friend! |
 |
| Always love to catch reflections |
 |
| The little romantic set up |
 |
| Sunset |
 |
| The night colors are always spectacular |
 |
| The most peaceful morning |
 |
| Mom insisted on giving the doves water |
A lovely day away indeed. Take the time friends. Take the moments. Make the memories.
