the caribbean

Back in November Carole Ardizzone (one of my mom's friends from Charlotte, who is now my friend too and is someone I really admire in so many ways) called me up and invited me to come on a cruise with their family. I just got back from this cruise yesterday. I love the beach more than I can even express in words.

I used to have this screensaver that was of pictures of crystal clear wate, white sand beaches and palm trees and I would dream of going to a place like that. In the middle of winter my sophmore year of college I got home from class one day put on my bathing suit, turned up the heat and sat there and watched my screensaver and cried because I wanted to be there so bad! hahaha.

I got to see these images in real life this week. I would lay on the beach and think, "is this real?" I can't even believe I am here now, this is what I dream of!" I even got to run on the beach to Chariots of Fire sound track, which is something I have wanted to do for years! (I just got an ipod in December which made it possible for the first time on this trip). I got up and watched the sunrise over the ocean every morning and the sunset every evening I would lay on the beach and think, "I dont think there is a person here who loves this more than I do." I savored and enjoyed laying on that beach to the complete fullest I knew how to savor and enjoy something, like it was the last piece of dark chocolate in the world. I really can't express it in words, but I am so thankful for this experience. Carole and her family have given me more than I could've imagined one person giving another. I am so undeserving of all they have done for me since I met them back in June.

I feel like I got to taste heaven for a brief moment, now I am back in Memphis and even after having been to tropical paradise I am glad to be back home. With out having cell phone service or internet connection on this trip it made me realize how deeply I will truly miss my friends and family when I move to Spain. This week is my last week of living in America. I will enjoy and savor the people in my life to the complete fullest I know how to.