Over That Rainbow

Distance: 2 miles
Start time: 6:30 am
Run Duration: 20 minutes
Average Pace: 10. minutes/mile
Temperature: not a clue
Humidity: again, have no idea
Location: The Gulf of Mexico

I woke most mornings before sunrise. I was on a cruise aboard the Carnival Ecstasy. I only exercised "officially" one day this week. I made my way to the Sports Deck, quickly read the notice that let me know that 11 laps equaled one land mile and started running, counterclockwise as directed. I could see the rain to the South, and we were closing in on it. I thought I could complete my run before getting soaked. I did. This blog entry isn't about the run. But before I get to what it's really about, know that I took the stairs for 90% of the cruise and I danced. I danced a lot. I didn't gain a single pound on this vacation and I ate a thousand-million calories. Well, maybe not that many - but a lot.

Here's what this blog is about.

I just returned from an odyssey - a theme trip I never planned to take. It all started at Frankel's costume shop about a month ago. My friend Daryl wanted us to "really dress up for Halloween". He liked the thought of me being Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz. (I'm from Kansas, right?) I bent to his will, plunked down my $65 and brought home a sexy little blue gingham number, complete with a petticoat and thigh high stockings. I purchased a wig, a basket and found a stuffed Toto to carry. I was all set for a raucous party on Halloween night.




Fast forward to the drive to Galveston to board the ship. Daryl told me he'd changed his mind. He wasn't going to wear a costume, he wasn't feeling so enthusiastic about dressing up. Uhuh. Fine. I did and so did another friend who went on the trip with us. By the time dinner came around we were tarted up, calling attention to ourselves and dancing the night away. Fun, right? Should have been the end of it, right? Not so simple.

Three of us booked an excursion to snorkel at Cozumel. We boarded our charter speed boat with about 15 other adventuresome folks and zipped off across the pristine waters. After a few hours of fun, sun, beer, chicken and veggies, we noticed the clouds building to the East (in the direction of our Mother Ship). They became darker and more ominous. Soon we saw a finger drop to the water in the form of a water spout. A big, ugly funnel had formed and we needed to pack it up and head back to the ship while we still could. As we grew closer and closer to the pier it became evident that we were about to enter a terrible storm. The clouds were black, the seas were rough and lightening played around us. Suddenly the crew of the boat stopped us dead in the water and told us to pass our belongings to the front if we wanted our things to remain dry. We did, fire-brigade style...and then it hit. We were in a deluge of rain, soaking us with a power that stunned us. At first we attempted to cover ourselves with our beach towels but we soon realized the futility in that effort and opened our faces to the rain, laughing. Our captain pushed onward through the storm, turning the music up. That was an adventure.






A twister.





The next morning brings me to my run. I finished my miles and moved to the front of the ship, noticing a rainbow like I'd never seen. It was just off the ship's bow with both ends of the arc sitting in the water. The ship was moving through the rainbow. As the rain started, the drops moved through the colors of the rainbow and lit up brilliantly, especially when they hit the purple stripe. Fascinated I stood next to a man and woman who were also transfixed, watching the show. I asked them if they'd ever seen anything like it before.

"No, but he told me that we needed to be here this morning. He said so when we woke up, so we're here." This is what the woman told me. This is how she explained their presence. We chatted a bit. We joked about how wet we were getting, but how we didn't care. He said he'd rather be wet than at work. They asked where I worked. I told them. They looked at me in stunned silence.

Their son will be coming to my hospital in 2 weeks with a diagnosis of a tumor that is within my subspecialty. They were so worried. I was able to give them comfort and to reassure them that he will be in good hands. I knew (immediately) about his particular diagnosis and was able to say, "Please rest your minds, please know that he is coming to the best place. Please know that I understand your anxiety, but it sounds like everything is on track."

A rainbow.

I was relaxing on deck yesterday with my friend. This one is simple. I looked up and saw something I'd never seen before. There was a rainbow in the middle of the sky. It wasn't attached to anything. It was simply an arc for the sun. James told me earlier in the day that the sprinkles we were feeling were probably blowing from miles away. I understand that water refracts the light. I get that. I also know that sometimes I need to see things that I've never seen before.

A different kind of rainbow.



This vacation I saw so many things I've never seen before. I thought thoughts I hadn't even considered. I'm lifting up gratitude for my traveling companions: Every day is a good day when I learn. I feel that they hold a mirror for me and I love them for their patience and compassion.

James (heart) was anxious to get home to his little dog. This love for another living being warms me and strikes me as pure and sweet and I am so lucky to call him friend.

Daryl (courage) has taken the steps to know himself and is willing to be himself in a world that is not always ready to hear passion and honesty. His belief in eye contact is inspirational. I feel safe in our friendship.

Bevilee (nerve) drinks this life to the fullest, arms wide, smile even wider. She is steeled for success, yet feminine. We have a friendship that goes deeper than the sea.

I'll take this kind of theme cruise any day. Oh, I guess there was one more thing. I did a little dreaming, about the kinds of dreams that really do come true.