My view of the Tongass Narrows, looking out from the window of our house in Ketchikan, was a never-ending parade of activity: sea life, ships, boats, float planes. I loved that view. But last fall, we sold the house and gave up the parade.

My view right now is not mine to keep, but it is mine to enjoy. And that’s a pleasure too. This view is of the beach and water on St. John, US Virgin Islands, and it’s magnificent. The sand is white and the water is blue, green, turquoise, and shades between. The hills rise low and green above the water, and the roads curve around the shore.

Paradise.

I don’t own anything here, but I have the pleasure of enjoying the view for a few weeks.

Rob and I are here taking a breather and reconnecting. We’re in the pause of life. We stopped the merry-go-round to get off and take stock of who we are, what we want, where we’re going.

It’s amazing when life hands you grace and choice, more meaningful because it’s unexpected.

My view has changed, but more important than the view, my outlook has changed. And that’s a good thing.

The beach is calling, life is calling, my partner is calling, and I’ve answered.