Years ago, Hawaiians planted mangroves to form an arched path from the road down to Donkey Beach in Kauai, Hawaii. Gradually, the mangroves grew high enough for people to pass under them. From a scraggly beginning, a magical sun-dappled tunnel now exists. I was on vacation there a couple weeks ago, and one day, a bird perched atop the branches sang the most beautiful, sweet song. I felt like she was telling me to stand still, listen to the waves, the ruffling branches, and smell the fresh island air, and the flowers.
While I was in Kauai, I saw whales spouting at sunrise, the first full moon of 2024, a Wolf Moon on January 25th, and ancient Waimea Canyon, a 3000 foot high wonder that abuts Mount Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest places on earth. I'm back home now working on my new book, and in moments when it seems I still have a long way to go, I hold onto the magic of Hawaii, born from volcanoes, where a bird serenaded me in a long, winding sun-dappled tunnel that opened onto a gorgeous beach.
Happy Valentine's Day!
If you want to learn about my three-year sailing adventure with my husband John and young daughter when we left everything behind to follow John's lifelong dream and sail away, go here to find Holding Fast: A Memoir of Sailing, Love, and Loss.
If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It's super helpful to authors!