what a wonderful day.
my daughter and i visited the aquarium. ‘world’s largest’, it touted from outside. i believe it. what an amazing array of sea life, ocean life, river life. words cannot convey the delight found there. hundreds of thousands of fish, rays, eels, mammals, and crustaceans.
four whale sharks. they named them after the honeymooners. heh. i laughed for being able to name all four when the guide asked.
to stand in the underwater tunnel brought me to tears. inquisitive eyes and rainbows of color, calm and tranquil swirlings everywhere. beluga whales, white as cotton and thick with muscle, their eyes, curious, and the appearance of the permanent smile making me laugh as they played with their pod mates and only occasionally noted those who gawked from the other side of the three foot thick acrylic.
sea dragons with leafy-looking fins delicately oscillating inbetween kelp. japanese spider crabs that looked fierce and very much like their namesakes. river otters. sea lions. mantas and marlins and parrot fish and giant catfish the likes of which my grandfather, a fisherman, often dreamt.
we took in a 3d movie that was surprisingly well made. the themes of education, ecological awareness, and care for the miracles of life that dwell in the deeps were everywhere.
three hours. my poor feet still anger at anything over two, so the last was spent having a nice meal (unexpectedly nice) in the cafe. then, the drive home and my daughter chiding me to see a doctor for several recurring issues. i smiled for it, even as i refrained from pointing out the obvious.
i told her about the possible job and move. she’s excited for me, and immediately insisted upon hiring a moving crew. this, a relief, as the notion of trying to move things and the impossibility of it in light of the arthritis had been weighing on me.
but i think the memory that will linger is turning unexpectedly and finding her watching me with a look of such love and happiness that i had to just stop and catch my breath for it. she asked me what was wrong, and i answered honestly, ‘nothing. nothing at all.’
i am so blessed in her. and her happiness to spend this time with me reminded me of things i sometimes worry needlessly for or over. the feeling of the empty nest is soothed in this moment. i sit here now and weep quietly for the gift in that.
we spoke of many things, as we always do. but none requiring more than this acknowledgement. she is wise, for one so young, amazingly so. i proud of her, and for her, she walks easily and well in the world.
in so many ways, she has every gift the universe could possibly lend to one soul. i am thankful of this, too. here, look… not at the obvious, but at her eyes. she is a light. she shines.