It might have been the fact that we were a seven hour non-stop flight away from “reality” and its demands and obligations.  Could have been the fact that we woke every morning to the sound of the ocean, the whoosh of swaying palm fronds in the tropical breeze and resident birds calling and singing back and forth to each other and welcoming a new day.  It certainly didn’t hurt that we were greeted every morning by great friends and freshly brewed coffee. the only morning schedule including newspaper and book reading before a couple of hours spent daily at the pool.

They say laughter is the best medicine.  Of that I am certain.  Any residue of mainland stress or fatigue was treated and removed with continual and sometimes uncontrollable laughter, depending on the time of day. I’m certain that not one waking moment of our time here was without a smile.  When the face is so fully relaxed, it is nearly impossible to frown and the funny bone is prone to very easy tickling.

No cooking or cleaning.  No schedule or time frame.  These factors, too, certainly added to such a tranquil setting.

We went snorkeling one day this week.  In the past, I have never been able to “get the hang of it”.  But this time was different.  We went out on a boat where clear instructions were given.  My sheer will to try something new opened  up a whole new world for me.  The beauty under the sea.

There, visible just under the surface of the water we were floating in was the most peaceful and beautiful place.  Fabulous coral in various formations, reaching up to the swimming above it.  The water, purple in some places and deep turquoise in others, warm in spots and cool in others.  And the fish!  Oh, the fish!  Any beautiful color you could imagine.  Pinks, blues, yellows, reds – bold and brilliant colors in bold and brilliant patterns of fish of all sizes and shapes.

Looking at the world below, a world we don’t often see, a world we too often miss out on, I was struck by something.  The reasons that that undersea world is so peaceful are the same reasons that our vacation was so relaxing.  Unspoiled beauty.  The sounds of busyness and obligation and stress drowned out by the lovely sound of splashing waters and crashing waves.  No schedule, no agenda.  Life below was without urgency.  Far away from the hectic pace of “real life”.

And yet, I had never seen anything more real.  Obviously, I could not sustain life under water for too long.  I have to come up for air.  My life is above ground.  I also can’t be in vacation mode forever.  Try as I might, I can’t ignore the reality that I DO have responsibilities and obligations that DO demand my time, energy and attention.  And I think I’m ready to face it again…

I don’t know every reason that this vacation was such a godsend of peace to my heart and soul.  I have listed as many as come to mind.  But I do know this – we all need times of refreshment, times “under the sea”, where life slows down for a bit and we can laugh in wonder at the preciousness and beauty of it all.  Times where the clock is not king and technology not our boss.  Where the calendar doesn’t win and the schedule is put away.  In that place we are rejuvenated and energized and recharged to go back to the necessary things that await…

As I drink my last cup of Kona iced coffee and get ready to head to the airport to return home,  I say “Mahalo, Jesus.”  Thank you for this precious time to reflect and revive…

Aloha, Hawaii!!!