Paths Crossed: King Tides
Never turn your back on the ocean.
I arrived at my destination on a deceptively sunny day. We all know a one-stoplight beach town in the Pacific Northwest in the off-season is an interesting choice. “Prepare to be sodden and introspective,” said a friend of said choice. This cracked me up. If anything, I, Rachel Sampson, need more engagement over introspection, community over solitude. And it’s a fact that I haven’t seen another human in days now. But when beautiful opportunities and offerings come your way, they aren’t by mistake—and this is a time to say “yes” to my life.
So with the ocean enveloping me in a different kind of energy, with the elements feeding the wild side of my soul for now, I am getting to witness the “king tides” this week, in a storm, along with 60 mph winds. More than enough. Beautiful, in fact.
And despite the fact that my bright-red Jeep Wrangler rental (one-time teenage dream turned massive, showy embarrassment) has “Rubicon” loudly lettered across its hood, I have not crossed any such river—this next journey I am embarking on doesn’t have to be forever. If I don’t want it to be. Though my penchant is for thinking too big, with my stomach anxious this time before making sure everything was unplugged in New York. The sharp sunny lines have turned into waves crashing over the headland at the highest tides of the year. And the not needing to know everything yet is an exercise in staying present, staying present, a call back to staying present, over and over…
Like sands through the hourglass…okay, that’s a reference to the soap opera my mom (and therefore I) watched in the 80s. What this actually is is a 30-minute timer I told myself I would use to write. (Have I? …)
And the little guy is a treasure I brought with me from a late-night adventure that my 17-year-old niece orchestrated for me, hopping on the T by her house and into Boston this summer to go to an arcade. We used up all our tokens, and traded in our tickets for penny candy and dinosaurs. It was more than enough and everything too.