Where is Everyone?

The fire pits sit in the sand like lonely tombstones. Corona Del Mar is usually swarming with families barbecuing hot dogs and playing volleyball. Where is everyone?
At work and school no doubt. It's a beautiful fall morning and I'm climbing around on the rocks with my camera. I've left two ladies, ages 79 and 81 up on edge of a cliff.
I should go check on them but Oh...I think I'll take a picture of the boat. I sat quietly for a few minutes and watched the water roll and swirl beneath my dangling feet. The boat moved slowly through the water. I inhaled the peace.
Oh hi gals! Did you have a nice picnic? When we first arrived, Letty took one look at view and said, "I wonder what the other half is doing?" We felt so rich as we unpacked our lunch and sat down on the bluffs drinking in the expansive view of the beach, the harbor, and the endless sea. Yes, the best things in life are free.
We stood up for a moment to have our picture taken by a kind woman sitting alone at a nearby bench. We want to remember this day...our breakaway miniature vacation. My mother is on the left and Letty on the right. I've been wanting to get these two together. Which is a little hard because they live 60 miles apart.
If we turned our heads to the right, we saw this. After counting boats, admiring dogs and finishing the cookies, we headed to Rogers Gardens in Newport Beach.


Beautiful flowers lined the walk ways.
Letty and Mom got along well and discussed various gardening topics such as, "How did they get those plants to grow so big?"

One couldn't help but feel the gentle edge of Christmas nudging our minds. The gift shop was decked with trees, lights and fancy decorations.


But give me the beach any day. I enjoyed looking at these items decorated with shells.

But my favorite was this painting of a shepherd and his sheep.

...because it reminded me of how much God cares for us. All the time. No matter where we are.