Dust Storm 

My legs ache, and my head throbs while my lungs fill up with some un wanted dust particles of the day.
My mind screams, " I'm tired, take me to the nearest beach and lets disappear into the mass crowd of strangers. Let's forget all you have to do today, jump into the car and let's just go!"

Dogs barking, phones ringing, texts chiming, kids laughing, TVs blaring, and the door bell snaps me back into my unwelcome reality.

 I notice over the UPS drivers shoulder that the wind is starting to kick up.
Maybe today this dry desert will get some long awaited rain.

 I close the door and my thoughts drift off again to the white beaches with turquoise water that I sat on too long ago.

I think what pulled my attention to distant memories today was the moment I first looked outside this morning.
It was when I looked up into this mornings sky, that it reminded me of the water around the Island of Saint Thomas, that sits in middle of the Caribbean. The pale clouds reminded me of the white sanded beaches that make up the shores of Nassau.

 Dreaming while awake is a bit counter productive don't you think?

This week I am on my own vacation of sorts. I have created my very own Island get away the (stay cation). I get to disappear on the island of house hold projects, dirty laundry, house cleaning, animal chores, bills and lets not forget cleaning the pool. I would say this vacation of mine will not recharge any batteries and provide some much needed rest but what the heck that's why we have sleep right?

I can hear the wind outside again. I step outside to look for rain when I hear thunder and lightening that reminds me of my trips to Florida so I close my eyes and I am transported there.
I am sitting around my brothers backyard and I can hear the laughter of children.
I can see my precious brothers smile as we share stories of the past. I hear his wife announcing that dinner is ready and as I look up, I see her beautiful smile through the kitchen window.

I wipe my cheek and look up assuming the rain has started to fall. My disappointment sets in when I realize its only my tears of longing.

Lightening snaps and thunder shakes the skies. I hear a roar over head and I know the sound is only a plane flying off to some unknown destination.

Maybe it's headed to Oregon, where I could be sitting at the table out front of my other brothers home while watching my nephews ride bikes. I can smell his cigar and see the ice melt in his cocktail.
I can see his flowers blooming and the colors are a vibrant purple. I laugh thinking of the sound he makes when he giggles while he recalls a joke from earlier that day. His giggles intensify while he attempts to deliver the joke as well as he heard it earlier in the day. The joke always falling a bit flat but we laugh anyway at his efforts.

I hear my beautiful son call out for food and I am again snapped back into my day and the chores that lie ahead.

While I dust over the pictures of my family I feel a deep appreciation for my position as wife and mother. I feel overwhelmed by sadness, loss, joy, and all that God has done for me.
I am at peace with my choices as I pick up speed wiping away the dust that has found its way into my home. Cartoons play in the background while my son sits teasing the dogs at the breakfast table.

 I look up at some transparent place of gratitude, Tears fall but so does the rain. It fell all day today, So did the rain...