Shapes In the Clouds

Some pictures taken at Eagle Beach on Thursday evening.

In a couple of days I will have been here seven months.

In that time I have been out to Eagle Beach in winter, spring and summer, and in all kinds of weather.

I have graciously been here on many sunny days.

I have never seen this beach look like this.

All week the sun was shining, and it was like the intensity of the brightness and the intensity of the blueness increased with each sunny day.

Usually the Chilkats are a seemingly endless wall of glorious mountains that extend north as far as the eye can see.

On Thursday they glistened so brightly against the sun, clear sky and blue water that I could see in detail the outline of every single mountain.

It does not show up as well as I had hoped in the pictures.  But I saw it.  They were all there, and so was I.

And so was my Mountain Boy and my dog.

The three of us winding down together from a long day.

Watching the birds in the channel stand on the sandbar until the incoming tide finally overtook their little temporary island and they flew away.

Watching the spray from the whales far off in the distance close to the opposite shore.

Watching Jamie sitting contentedly on the sand taking in the action all around her.  At one point a huge flock of seagulls flew right over her head. 

Just a few months ago such action would have sent her into a barking and dancing furball of intensity.  But she has become accustomed since she arrived in Juneau to travelling with us and seeing nature as up close as we do.

Watching the clouds over the mountain range behind us, and my Mountain Boy and I reflecting, as most of us did as children, on what kinds of animals the clouds looked like. 

He saw a knight on a horse and I saw a giant raven. 

Briefly........until they changed shape and looked like something else again.......

A few pictures we took on a brief stop this afternoon at Fritz Cove near Auke Bay on the way home from yard sailing (a couple of sweaters for me, and a free leather footstool.....)

Fritz Cove is at the end of a dead end residential road.  We parked at the turn around, and walked down to the water for just a few minutes.....

My son will be arriving in Juneau on Tuesday.  Good.  Very good.  I miss my son.  I miss both of my sons. 

And I feel very grateful to be able to see my youngest child again. 

I have missed him more than I can put into words. 

We are all going to Haines on Friday - me, my Mountain Boy, my son, our truck and our dog.......   

A son is born

Life goes on

No one knows

Just when it happens

But one day

A miracle happens

The child has changed

The child is no longer

A man has taken his place

All grown up

Ideas have changed

Responsibility comes easily

Parents sit back and admire

The person he has become

Apron strings cut long ago

You cannot help but wonder

Will you always feel

The way you do now?

Prouder than anyone

Of whom he has become

Admiration beyond imagination

A parent's love

Enduring all else

Wanting to be needed

Knowing when to stand aside

A fate hard to accomplish

Needing to be wanted

As if the man has not emerged

The life he lives

Has room enough for all

The thoughtfulness in his heart

His caring ways

New hobbies he shares

With friends old and new

The man shines through

My son, my child

You are a man, this is true

To me you will always be

That child in my arms

Whom I loved from the start.....

Angel Marie Schmidt