Quiet Heart

After-the-rain.org / Quiet heart

3/14/22 Monday

This is my favorite place on the island. It looks right up the Strait of San Juan de Fuca to the Pacific Ocean. From here one can see the Olympic Mountains, Seattle, and Canada. Subjected to extreme weather, it knows fierce winds and strong current. Today it is quiet. The sun, clouds and sea slow dance together, a breathtaking display of light, shadow, and color.

Weather changes, life goes on. I work at my job, which is going well. I’ve been offered a better position and I’m taking it. I spend time with my son, he is 12 now. Yesterday I noticed a pimple on his nose. To him most things I do are lame and old fashioned, but he still likes reading together and for me to tuck him in bed. It’s amazing to be a part of his life as he grows older. I’m trying to buy a house which is ridiculous. It’s outrageous how much they cost these days, but I’m transitioning out of minimalism and would like more space. I’m getting back into surfing. I’m not as good as I once was but it still makes me happy. I’m seeing someone new. She’s a beautiful mom with wavy brown hair, and my new favorite pastime is listening to her tell me about her day as I trace my fingertips over her olive skin in the moonlight.

The sailing dreams are on hold as I navigate yet another phase of moving forward through life. I’m dedicated to being around as my son goes through school, so for now I’m trying to keep the passion for blue water boats under control. Walks around the marina are tough, but I know there will be another time, another time.

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This will be my last post. I’m going to keep the blog up, just in case someone who is going through tough times may get some use from it. There was a lot of pain. There was a time when I thought life was over, but in reality it was just life as I knew it was over. Waves roll through, clouds come and go. Walking barefoot across the sands of time, I’m still able to feel the sun on my face. I can still feel love. I look forward to days ahead, excited about new dreams, as the old memories become ghosts, lying at my feet like broken bits of driftwood. It’s all beautiful, and I am thankful.

Thanks to those who have commented and become friends from afar. Thanks to the fella named Stormy who inspired me to blog in the first place. I wish everyone well. I don’t give an eff about spammers so if anyone wants to say hi here’s my email: rainey1@yahoo.com

Author: Rainey

after-the-rain.org What started out as chicken scratch notes on the back pages of my boat’s logbook has now grown into a blog. These words and images help me cope with a loved one struggling with mental illness, and they help guide me through divorce, and the process of moving on. Thanks for reading along as I learn about life the hard way, do the best I can for my son in my new role as a single dad, and find weird similarities between restoring an old blue water sailboat and putting the pieces of my own life back together. Come check out my story and feel free to say hi!

17 thoughts on “Quiet Heart”

  2. The one thing in life that never changes is the inevitability of change. Still, we grow attached to all the shit that collects, and that hides what’s really most important. Yeah… I get it. Good wishes to you, and to your son. Some day, I’m sure he’ll recollect those stories with an insight into that important part of life. Good wishes!

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    1. Thank you. I’m sure you’re right about that, you’re always spot on with your insights. Will miss them here. Looking forward to reading more of them on your own blog. 🙂

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  3. I wish you the best -of everything – and I will miss your new stories.
    Selfishly, I will comfort myself with thoughts of you just as you are today – walking barefoot, feeling the sun and looking forward.
    Hugs

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  5. Rainey I wish you all the best…keep reading to your son and I hope all goes well with the house purchase. Take your time, feel the presence of joy everyday…do what makes you happy and heals you.

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  6. Happy trails, fellow voyager. May the road continue to lead you to brighter lands.

    (I’ve also left WP, and just checked in briefly and saw this post. Glad I got to say farewell.)

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      1. I have moved to Substack: jdriso.substack.com My posts come via email now, and you can respond to the email, if you wish to share thoughts or just say hi. I don’t have comments/likes enabled there. I was looking for a quieter, more intimate way of sharing my work. You are very welcome there. 🙂 Take care.

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  7. Hi Rainey. 😞 to see you go but fully understand. You are one of the very few people whose spirit and heart egged me on to keep writing myself. I feel like after all this time and all these heartfelt words back and forth, I really know you even though I don’t. I will drop you an email at some point if that’s ok. I hate the thought of you disappearing from my life completely. I wish you and your wonderful gang the very best for the future. 🤗

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      1. Hi Rainey. Thank you for your kind words. As you no longer write on here, I sent you an email weeks ago to see how you are but I have not heard back. I hope you are well. All the best. Mercedes

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